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80 BC students sick after eating at same Chipotle, traces of Norovirus found

BOSTON — Public Health investigators in Boston confirmed Tuesday that norovirus is to blame for an outbreak of sickness affecting as many as 80 people who ate at a Chipotle near Boston College.

Chipotle also said it believes norovirus is to reason the students reported "gastrointestinal symptoms" after eating at the chain. The company says it thinks the illnesses are an isolated incident unrelated to a multi-state outbreak of E. coli cases linked to its restaurants.

"All of the evidence we have points in that direction," says Chipotle spokesman Chris Arnold.

Public Health investigators did in fact confirm that norovirus was to blame for the outbreak of sickness.

Chipotle said late Monday that it was temporarily closing its Boston's Cleveland Circle location after Boston College said 80 of its students, including members of the men's basketball team, complained of stomach problems after eating there.

According to a report from the Boston Inspectional Services department dated Monday, an employee at the restaurant in Boston was sick while working a shift Thursday.

William Christopher, commissioner of the department, said at a briefing Tuesday that it was not immediately known if the restaurant's management was aware of the employee's symptoms. The restaurant's permit to operate has been suspended by the city and a disinfection process has begun, Christopher said.

People can get norovirus from an infected person, contaminated food or water, or by touching contaminated surfaces, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The virus is very contagious and can spread quickly in places such as daycare centers and cruise ships, the agency says. Each year, it causes 19 to 21 million illnesses.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said late last week the outbreak of E. coli tied to Chipotle has sickened 52 people in nine states so far. The first cases were reported at the end of October in Oregon and Washington, and the most recent illness began on Nov. 13.

Massachusetts is not among the states where the agency has confirmed cases.

Chipotle Mexican Grill Inc., based in Denver, has more than 1,900 locations, primarily in the U.S. The company has warned that sales are expected to fall as much as 11 percent at established locations for the fourth quarter as a result of the E. coli outbreak.

That would mark the first time the sales figure has declined since Chipotle went public in 2006.

In its annual report, Chipotle notes that it may be at a higher risk for outbreaks of food-borne illnesses because of its use of "fresh produce and meats rather than frozen, and our reliance on employees cooking with traditional methods rather than automation."

Chipotle shares fell $9.90, or 1.8 percent, to $541.85 in midday trading Tuesday.

Wondering if any other restaurants in the Boston area have failed a health inspection? Click here for more information.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.