E. Coli Outbreak Linked to Chipotle Restaurants Has Expanded to Maryland

There has been an outbreak of e coli infections linked to Chipotle restaurants that began in Washington and Oregon in October and November. There have been 52 cases reported in nine states now including the state of Maryland. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that the Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli 026 infection has been responsible for 20 of the 52 victims’ hospitalizations. The CDC, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and state public health officials are investigating the outbreak. Chipotle Mexican Grill restaurants has not yet determined which meal item is causing the illnesses.

So far, no one in Washington, D.C. or in West Virginia has reported being ill, but the bacteria is knocking on our door now that it has affected diners in Maryland. IT is critical that you be on the lookout for symptoms if you eat at Chipotle.

Symptoms of e coli infection

According to the National Institutes of Health’s U.S. National Library of Medicine, the symptoms of E. coli infection develop between 24 and 72 hours after being infected with the bacteria. Bloody diarrhea is the most common symptom, but others include:

• Fever
• Gas
• Loss of appetite
• Stomach cramps

The CDC is advising consumers to see their doctor if they become ill with the symptoms listed above after having eaten at a Chipotle Mexican Grill restaurant.

1. coli can cause people to become quite ill, but in most otherwise healthy adults the illness resolves on its own in a few weeks. In severe cases, and in those with weak immune systems or who are elderly, it can lead to kidney failure, which can be fatal. Antibiotics have no effect on the bacteria, so there is no treatment available for E. coli other than rest and plenty of fluids.

According to NBCnews.com, customers who became ill with E.coli infections after eating at a Chipotle Mexican Grill restaurant are filing federal lawsuits against the Mexican food restaurant chain. In Washington state two patrons are suing the restaurant chain in order to recover compensation for their illnesses.

If you become ill with E. coli after eating at a Chipotle restaurant and you must be hospitalized and miss days at work, if you should suffer kidney failure or any other adverse condition caused by the E. coli infection, you may want to speak with a personal injury lawyer, who might be able to file a lawsuit against the company to compensate you for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering and other losses related to the illness.