An E. coli episode that has led to the temporary closure of 43 Chipotle Mexican Grill restaurants in Oregon and Washington was likely caused by contaminated produce, an Oregon Public Health Division official said Monday.
The number of confirmed and presumed E. coli cases across Oregon and Washington state has jumped to 37 from 22 — with the majority linked to Chipotle restaurants, health officials said Tuesday.
Chipotle said eight restaurants are involved in this outbreak in Washington and in metro Portland, NBC News reported, although the company over the weekend closed 43 of its locations across both states as a precaution. They all remained shuttered Tuesday, and the number of people affected by the bacterial illness could rise as people show symptoms following an incubation period that could stretch as long as 10 days, health officials said.
"We offer our deepest sympathies to those who have been affected by this situation" Chipotle co-CEO Steve Ells said in a statement Tuesday.
