NEW YORK (AP) — Chipotle says it believes norovirus is to blame for sickening Boston College students who ate at its restaurant.
The company says it thinks the illnesses are an isolated incident unrelated to an outbreak of E. coli cases tied to its restaurants.
“All of the evidence we have points in that direction,” says spokesman Chris Arnold. He noted the company has no confirmation.
Late Monday, Chipotle closed a restaurant in Boston after Boston College said 30 of its students complained of gastrointestinal symptoms after eating at the chain. The school said it was working with health authorities to investigate the cause.
People can get norovirus from an infected person, contaminated food or water, or by touching contaminated surfaces, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
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BOB SALSBERG, Associated Press
CANDICE CHOI, Associated Press
BOSTON (AP) — Boston College says the number of students reporting gastrointestinal symptoms after eating at a Chipotle has climbed to 80.
On Monday, the school had said 30 students, including members of its men’s basketball team, had been sickened.
Chipotle Mexican Grill Inc. closed the restaurant in Boston’s Cleveland Circle Monday and says it thinks the illnesses are the result of norovirus, not a multi-state outbreak of E. coli linked to its restaurants.
Boston College says all students have been tested for both E. Coli and norovirus, and that results will not be available for at least two days.
According to a report from the Boston Inspectional Services department dated Monday, an employee at the Chipotle in Boston was sick while working a shift Thursday.