Virginia Chipotle Reopens After Customer Illnesses, Norovirus Suspected

(Updated July 21) STERLING, VA — Concerns about foodborne illnesses have resurfaced at Chipotle after customers became ill after eating at a Sterling location and the highly contagious norovirus is the possible culprit. The restaurant at 21031 Tripleseven Road temporarily closed Monday and Tuesday after multiple customers experienced vomiting, diarrhea and vomiting, according to an online report, and the company's stock fell Tuesday on the news.

The restaurant reopened Wednesday after being sanitized, but the Loudoun County Health Department confirmed a person tested positive for the norovirus, according to Reuters.

Chipotle’s executive director of food safety, Jim Marsden, said in a statement to The Washington Post that the symptoms are consistent with norovirus. He said local health officials were addressing the incident and the store could reopen after it is sanitized. Patch called the restaurant Tuesday afternoon for comment and the phone line was busy; we'll update with any reply.

“The reported symptoms are consistent with norovirus,” Marsden said in the statement. “Norovirus does not come from our food supply, and it is safe to eat at Chipotle.”

The norovirus is a common virus that can be transmitted from person to person, or food or water that has been infected, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. About 19 million to 21 million cases are reported each year. The virus can also be spread by touching contaminated surfaces.

David Goodfriend, director of the Loudoun County Health Department, told WTOP the department had given Chipotle the go-ahead to reopen Wednesday. "We are not aware of any concern with the food supply chain, all existing open food products have been discarded, and the restaurant has started they have brought in new food preparers,” said Goodfriend.

Chipotle officials said the illnesses are isolated to the restaurant in Sterling, and local health department officials, have been notified. CNNMoney said that Chipotle's share price dropped 4 percent on Tuesday after the news surfaced.

The incident comes after the Denver-based fast food chain has tried to move forward on the food safety front. The company took a financial hit when outbreaks of E. coli were found across the U.S. According to the CDC, it resulted in 60 cases and 22 hospitalizations across 14 states. Chipotle said it was not able to link the E. coli breakout to a specific item, since many of the foods are cooked together.

It's not the first time Chipotle was scrutinized for a norovirus breakout. In California, the virus broke out in August 2015, while more than 140 people fell ill in December at a Boston location. After these incidents, stores closed for a day in February 2016 for employees to discuss food safety.

Patch editor Marc Torrence contributed to this report.

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