SEATTLE — The Seattle man who declined to be interviewed on camera Monday said he got sick after eating a pork burrito at the Chipotle restaurant on Capitol Hill in late July.
He says he had a bloody stool and the worst pain he has ever experienced.
“12 or more," he said, "on a scale of 10."
He was hospitalized for four days.
According to Seattle King County Health, a total of five Chipotle customers were stricken last summer; two people were hospitalized.
The cause remains undetermined.
But health officials say they don't believe that outbreak is related to the current one.
It sounds eerily similar, however, to what happened to this Portland man last month.
"Oh, this was more than just food poisoning," said Chris Collins.
Collins is one of 22 people in the Pacific Northwest who got sick last month with E. coli: most of them Chipotle customers.
"This was a potentially life-threatening exposure, he said.
In response, the Mexican fast-food giant closed 43 restaurants in Oregon and Washington.
The outbreak will likely take away business.
Customer Rajneesh Singh was asked if he would eat again at Chipotle.
"Not after hearing what you are saying," said Singh. "I won't."
Shareholders have already taken a hit; the stock dropped nearly 3 percent Monday.
But it is still a lofty $624-a-share.
KIRO
