Health inspectors across Massachusetts are examining Chipotle restaurants after dozens of Boston College students and other city residents contracted norovirus at a restaurant near campus, according to the Boston Herald.
Officials in multiple towns and cities, including Framingham and Waltham, told the Herald they have expedited the inspections because of the recent outbreak.
Boston College said 80 people fell ill after eating at the fast-food location in Cleveland Circle, but the Boston Public Health Commission later said 65 cases have been reported. Lab results confirmed the presence of norovirus Tuesday.
According to a report from the Boston Inspectional Services department, which is responsible for inspecting the city's restaurants, an employee at the Chipotle restaurant in Cleveland Circle was sick while working a shift Thursday.
The restaurant was cited for three health violations, including allowing the sick employee to work, failing to provide proper hot holding temperatures for chicken and steak and the multiple reports of foodborne illness.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, infected workers cause about 70 percent of reported norovirus outbreaks from contaminated food. Each year, norovirus causes 19 million to 21 million illnesses.
The virus can spread from an infected person, contaminated food or water, or by touching contaminated surfaces, the agency says. It is very contagious and can spread quickly in places such as daycare centers and cruise ships.
U.S. & World
Common symptoms include diarrhea, vomiting, nausea and stomach pain.
The illnesses come as Chipotle's sales are already being slammed by a multistate outbreak of E. coli linked to its restaurants.
The CDC has not yet determined the ingredient responsible for sickening 52 people in the E. coli outbreak, but 47 of the individuals reported eating at a Chipotle before they got ill. The first cases were reported at the end of October in Oregon and Washington, with additional cases being reported later.
The most recent illness started Nov. 13, according to the CDC.
At a presentation Tuesday for analysts in New York City, Chipotle executives noted the exposure period for the E. coli cases appears to be over. The company has said it is tightening its food safety procedures, and that some of its local produce suppliers might not be able to meet the new standards.
Executives said the chain may eventually raise prices to make up for its food safety investments.
