Health Officials Confirm Norovirus Was Behind the Illness At Local Chipotle

STERLING, VA (AP) – A Virginia health official says a second person has tested positive for norovirus after eating at a Chipotle before it was temporarily closed last week following reports of illnesses.

David Goodfriend, director of the Loudoun County Health Department, says two people now have tested positive for norovirus.

“Based on symptoms reported and these preliminary laboratory results, the cause of the outbreak is believed to be norovirus, though the specific source of the norovirus has not yet been identified,” said Goodfriend in a news release. “The Health Department is not aware of any customers becoming ill since the reopening of the facility last Wednesday.”

135 people have reported getting sick after visiting the Chipotle on Tripleseven Road in Sterling.

Chipotle reopened the location Wednesday after a “complete sanitization.” It noted its procedures to deal with the issue quickly and said its food was safe to eat. Its stock nevertheless fell, underscoring its vulnerability following past food scares.

Norovirus is a leading cause of illnesses from contaminated food.

Goodfriend says some of those sickened were Chipotle employees.