DENVER, Nov. 20 (UPI) — An outbreak of E. coli that was first reported in the Pacific Northwest and linked to Chipotle Mexican restaurants expanded to cover four additional states Friday, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said.
Nearly 40 individual cases had previously been reported in Oregon and Washington state. Friday, though, the CDC said an additional six cases have been reported outside of those states.
The new states included in the outbreak are California, Minnesota, New York and Ohio.
The CDC said 96 percent of those sickened, 43 of 45, said they had eaten at the Mexican food chain. Investigators concluded that an unknown ingredient served by the restaurant is likely responsible for the outbreak — even though no presence of the bacteria has yet been found at any Chipotle location.
Chipotle locations in Oregon and Washington reopened earlier this month after lab tests were unable to detect the bacteria, which can be deadly for people with weakened immune systems.
According to the CDC, 16 of the people who were affected, who range in age between 2 and 94, were hospitalized for the illness. Nearly 60 percent are women.
The federal agency said people became sick between Oct. 19 and Nov. 8 — but noted that there may be more cases of E. coli not yet reported due to the fact it can take up to three weeks to develop symptoms.
The Denver-based restaurant chain previously said it has taken multiple steps to ensure the safety and health of its customers — including conducting thousands of tests of Chipotle locations and employees. It said it also tested produce, meat and dairy products and replaced all ingredients at the affected locations.
“We closed all Chipotle restaurants in these markets out of an abundance of caution,” the company said on its website. “We are working closely with health department officials to determine the cause of this issue.”
“The safety of our customers and the integrity of our food supply have always been our highest priorities,” Chipotle added. “We offer our deepest sympathies to those who have been affected by this situation, and will continue to cooperate with health authorities as they look to conclude the investigation.”
Comment count on this article reflects comments made on Breitbart.com and Facebook. Visit Breitbart's Facebook Page.