Two South Students Contract Norovirus from Beacon Street Chipotle

By Ava Morollo
Managing Editor of Community and Global News

According to multiple sources, two Newton South students were infected with the norovirus after they ate at the Beacon Street Chipotle this past Saturday. According to CNBC, more than 130 people have been confirmed sick, 120 of them being Boston College students, including members of the school’s basketball team.

Some believe the outbreak was caused by the same E. Coli bacteria that infected 52 people who ate at Chipotle locations in nine other states earlier this year; however, Boston health officials believe the norovirus is more consistent with the displayed pattern of sickness than with E. Coli.

The Center for Disease Control states that the norovirus is a highly contagious virus. It is easily transmitted through food, water, human contact, and any contaminated surfaces. The virus causes the stomach to become inflamed, which creates severe pain and nausea.

The Norovirus causes 19 to 21 million illnesses a year and is also the most common cause of foodborne-disease outbreaks in the United States.

Chipotle has closed the Beacon Street branch indefinitely.