635684963866994770-norovirusEarly laboratory testing confirms the presence of norovirus at Chipotle

On December 11, 2015 the Boston Public Health Commission, after receiving reports of multiple cases of gastrointestinal illness among patrons who ate at the Chipotle Mexican Grill in Cleveland Circle, located at 1924 Beacon Street, Brighton, Massachusetts, the Boston Public Health Commission, the City of Boston Inspectional Services Department, and the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, launched an investigation to determine the cause and the nature of the illness.

On December 11, 2015, health officials reported an increased number of people deemed to be norovirus cases linked to the consumption of contaminated food at the Chipotle, with the case-count of 136. All but seven were Boston College students. That same day, Boston College reported that 141 students had told college health officials that they had become ill after eating at the restaurant. The college said an additional twelve people caught the highly infectious virus from classmates and roommates who had dined at Chipotle located at 1924 Beacon Street, Brighton, Massachusetts.

Health officials have not determined exactly how the virus got into food at the restaurant, which was shuttered after inspectors found three serious violations: (1) failure to keep meat hot enough, (2) multiple reports of food-borne illness, and (3) an employee who was sick while at work on December 3, 2015.

Norovirus is highly contagious and easily passed among those in close proximity. To prevent the continued transmission of the virus, Boston Public Health Commission urges residents to take proper precautions to prevent the spread of illness, which include: washing your hands regularly, avoiding close contact or sharing food and drink with others who might be ill, and staying home if you are ill.