DuPage E. Coli Outbreak Linked to Lombard Burrito Restaurant

A Mexican restaurant in Lombard has been shut down by the DuPage County Health Department after an outbreak of cases of E. coli infection sent two of its patrons to the hospital and may have sickened several more. 

According to CBS2 Chicago and the Daily Herald, Los Burritos Mexicanos (1015 St. Charles Road) was closed on Friday after four confirmed cases of E. coli—all of the Shiga-toxin-producing strain that can cause extreme diarrhea and kidney failure—were linked to having eaten at the restaurant.

“When you get a cluster like this it does get our attention, which is why we were quick to get involved,” Jason Gerwig, external affairs manager for the DuPage County Health Department, told NBC5 Chicago.

Officials told the Herald that the restaurant is cooperating in trying to find out what product may have contained the contaminant. 

According to the Chicago Tribune, all four patients with confirmed cases of E. coli are now recovering at home; about six more illnesses are suspected as having been caused by eating at Los Burritos.

The Health Department receives about 10 reports of Shiga-toxin-producing E. coli annually, the paper said.

According to a news release from the DuPage County Health Department:

E. coli can be transmitted through contaminated food or water or from one person to another.  While the number of organisms required to cause disease is not known, it is suspected to be very small. 

The bacterium is present in the stools of infected persons, and it can be passed from one person to another if hygiene and hand washing habits are inadequate. This is particularly likely to occur among toddlers who are not fully toilet trained. Family members and playmates of such children are at high risk of becoming infected. Bacteria are usually cleared from the stools within a week after the diarrhea resolves. However, in some cases, particularly in young children, the organism may persist in the stool for weeks after the diarrhea has resolved.

Anyone who has eaten at the Los Burritos Mexicanos restaurant in Lombard between May 24 and June 14 and developed diarrheal illness within two to 10 days after eating should consult with a physician and report the illness to the DuPage County Health Department at 630-221-7040 between 8am and 4:30pm; for after-hours concerns, call 630-682-7400. More information on E. Coli is available online.