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US restaurants, juice maker closed amid E. coli epidemic fears

Sunday, 01 November 2015 2:28 PM [ Last Update: Sunday, 01 November 2015 2:30 PM ]

E. coli epidemic is feared in the US following an outbreak that has forced a chain of restaurants and a juice-maker to close down.

An outburst of infections with deadly Escherichia coli (E. coli) bacteria have forced US health authorities to close down various food and drink outlets in the country.

Chipotle, a famous chain restaurant, closed down 43 of its branches in the US states of Oregon and Washington after 22 cases of infections were reported among its customers.

Oregon Health Authority spokesman Jonathan Modie said Sunday that since October 14, a total of 19 cases of E. coli in Washington and 3 cases in Oregon have been linked to the Mexican-themed restaurant.

According to Modie, about a third of the victims have been hospitalized but no one has died from the disease. However, he warned that the extent of the infections might be much larger.

"Many people affected with Shiga toxin E. coli may not seek health care, so the number of people made ill by this outbreak is likely more than identified," the official said.

"Health officials want people who have eaten at a Chipotle between October 14 and 23 and become ill with vomiting and bloody diarrhea to see their health-care provider and mention this outbreak," the official added.

So far, the disease has been reported in people ranging from ages 11 to 64, he said.

“We are working with health department officials to determine the cause of this issue. We offer our deepest sympathies to those who have been affected by this situation," Chipotle said in a statement.

The company is facing lawsuits stemming from similar incidents in the past that involved Salmonella and norovirus infections. The Denver-based company has more than 1,700 restaurants in the US and abroad.

Meanwhile, Sun Valley Juice Co., a US juice manufacturer, was also shut down by the Food and Drug Association (FDA) due to E. coli worries.

The FDA has ordered the Idaho-based company to immediately cease operations. The juice maker is not allowed to receive, process, prepare, pack, hold, or distribute products until further notice.

“Because Sun Valley Juice Company does not pasteurize its juice, a process known to kill bacteria that could cause illnesses such as E. coli, the company must take other steps to prevent potentially harmful bacteria from contaminating its juice,” the FDA said.

Escherichia coli infections range from mild to life-threatening and might cause severe stomach cramps, vomiting and often bloody diarrhea. Fever is rare, if ever present.

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