Marler Clark, the E. coli attorneys, represented several victims in this E. coli outbreak. All claims were settled, including compensation for medical bills, wage loss and any future medical complications.
The initial, larger STEC O26 outbreak was first detected by public health officials in Washington and Oregon through local foodborne disease surveillance. In late October 2015, officials in those states detected an increase in illness and after interviewing ill people, they determined that illnesses were likely linked to eating at multiple Chipotle Mexican Grill locations.
PFGE results from ill people in Washington and Oregon indicated that people were infected with a rare strain of STEC O26. A search of the PulseNet database identified illnesses in other states, and these ill people were added to the total case count.
A total of 55 people infected with the outbreak strain of STEC O26 were reported from 11 states. The majority of illnesses were reported from Washington and Oregon during October 2015. The number of ill people reported from each state was as follows: California (3), Delaware (1), Illinois (1), Kentucky (1), Maryland (1), Minnesota (2), New York (1), Ohio (3), Oregon (13), Pennsylvania (2), and Washington (27).
Among people for whom information was available, illnesses started on dates ranging from October 19, 2015 to December 1, 2015. Ill people ranged in age from 1 year to 94, with a median age of 21. Fifty-seven percent of ill people were female. Twenty-one (38%) people reported being hospitalized.
In December 2015, a second outbreak of a different, rare strain of STEC O26 was identified. A total of five people infected with this strain of STEC O26 were reported from three states. The number of ill people reported from each state was as follows: Kansas (1), North Dakota (1), and Oklahoma (3).
Among people for whom information was available, illnesses started on dates ranging from November 18, 2015 to November 26, 2015. Ill people ranged in age from 6 years to 25, with a median age of 22. Eighty percent of ill people were female. One (20%) person reported being hospitalized.
The epidemiologic evidence collected during these investigations suggested that a common meal item or ingredient served at Chipotle Mexican Grill restaurants was a likely source of both outbreaks. The investigations did not identify a specific food or ingredient linked to illness in either outbreak.
The following stores were linked to illnesses:
California
Turlock (3090 Countryside Drive)
Minnesota
Burnhaven (728 Country Road 42 W)
New York
Amherst (1643 Niagra Falls Blvd.)
Ohio
Lyndhurst – Legacy Village (24369 Cedar Road)
Parma (7683 West Ridgewood Drive)
Akron – University of Akron (272 East Exchange Street)
Oregon
Gresham (2065 NE Burnside Rd.)
Happy Valley – Clackamas Town Center (12130 SE 82nd Ave.)
Hillsboro (2048 NW Stucki Ave.)
Lake Oswego – Kruse Way (8 Centrepoint Dr.)
Portland – Cascade Station (9687 NE Cascades Pkwy)
Portland – Washington Square (9120 SW Hall Blvd.)
Washington
Burlington (1753 Burlington Blvd.)
Kent (512 Ramsay Way, Ste. 101)
Seattle – Capitol Hill (1415 Broadway Ave.)
Seattle – The Ave (4229 University Way NE)
Vancouver – Hazel Dell (7715 NE 5th Ave.)