A limited outbreak of an acute gastrointestinal disease, presumably foodborne, occured recently in Aurora, CO.  Five members of a school tennis team and six other diners allegedly acquired an infection from a Chipotle Mexican Grill location.  The outbreak is currently under investigation by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment and the Tri-County Health Department.  The symptoms demonstrated by the patients were consistent with norovirus infection.  One patient aged 8 was treated at an urgent care center for dehydration following vomiting and diarrhea.

Given the history of Chipotle with respect to foodborne infection including norovirus, STEC, and Salmonella infections in 2015, it would be expected that the company would respond rapidly to a complaint with appropriate public relations initiatives.  According to a press report, a customer was unable to speak to any person of authority concerning their illness and was directed to a website.  Given the success of Chipotle Mexican Grill in rebuilding customer confidence and goodwill under current leadership, the response if accurately recounted is incomprehensible requiring investigation and the involvement of CEO Brian Niccol.