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Chipotle closes 43 restaurants due to E. coli reports

Chipotle shutters 43 restaurants due to potential health issues.

November 2, 2015

Chipotle Mexican Grill has closed 43 stores in Washington and Oregon as state health regulators investigate an E. coli threat linked to the restaurant chain.

Nineteen cases allegedly related to E. coli were reportedin Washington and three have been reportedin Oregon, according to press releases issued by the Washington and Oregon state departments of health.

"While the outbreak appears to be linked to food served at Chipotle restaurants, the food or other source of contamination hasn’t yet been determined and remains under investigation," the Washington health department stated.

E.coli bacteria can cause severe anemia, bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramps, fever, vomiting, and kidney failure, leading to death, the businessfinancenews.com report stated. Approximately 20 people became sick after eating at Chipotle restaurant since Oct. 14. No deaths have been reported. Dr. Marisa D’Angeli, an epidemiologist with the Washington State Department of Health stated in a news conference on Oct. 31 that investigations could take days to several weeks.

The news reports are not sitting well with Chipotle shareholders as Bloombergreportedshares fell as much as 5 percent Monday morning, about $31.71, landing at $608.52. The decline represents nearly a $1 billion in market value. As of Monday morning there was no formal announcement or release by Chipotle regarding the E. coli outbreak reports.