What was thought to be an E Coli outbreak, which left at least 120 students sick, turned out to be a Norovirus outbreak. Public health officials confirmed Wednesday saying that outbreak may not be related to any E. coli epidemic linked to Chipotle.
USA Today reports that at least 120 students from Boston College and surrounding community got sick after eating at a local Chipotle restaurant. The outbreak came in time for students' preparation for their final exams which begin Saturday. On Wednesday, the school immediately issued a health alert. The school intends to double its efforts in cleaning common spaces, closed-salad bars, and cafeterias.
Boston Public Health Commission (BPHC) said that laboratory testing had confirmed the presence of Norovirus. Of the 120 reported cases, 80 are linked to eating at Chipotle Mexican Grill Inc. restaurant at Boston's Cleveland Circle, reports Reuters.
Over 120 students flocked Boston College Health Services reporting symptoms of nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. The students have also been tested for E. coli however results are not yet released.
Those who were closely in contact to the infected patients have also become ill, the health commission added. Boston College reports t hat students' roommates also contracted the infection.
Since November, Chipotle has been under fire when the restaurant was linked to an E. coli outbreak that left 52 people sick across nine states.
In response to the outbreak in Boston, Chipotle in Cleveland Circle has been temporarily closed while the Boston Inspectional Services Department and BPHC investigate the situation.
Chipotle declared it will complete a full Norovirus sanitization in the restaurant. The employees are also not allowed to return back to work unless test results show they are clear of Norovirus.
Norovirus is a highly contagious virus easily transmitted in close proximity and can spread through contaminated food, improper hygiene and contact with contaminated surfaces.
Since August, Chipotle has had three food safety incidents including the E. coli outbreak last month. A Norovirus was also the culprit for nauseating more than 100 people at a Chipotle restaurant in Simi Valley, California.