Chipotle's Stock Crashing Again As E. Coli Threat Deepens

• The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said on Friday that seven more people have become ill with E. coli.
• The CDC added of the three most recent illness reported in November, only one person reported eating at Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. (NYSE: CMG)
• Shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill lost more than 3 percent following the CDC's update.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said on Friday that the E. coli outbreak that plagued Chipotle Mexican Grill customers has expanded from 43 illness to 47.

Shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill were lower by more than 3 percent at $547.74

The CDC stated on November 20 that epidemiologic evidence suggests that a "meal item or ingredient served at Chipotle Mexican Grill restaurants at several states is a likely source" of the E. coli outbreak. In fact, 43 out of 45 people interviewed by state and local public health officials indicated they dined at a Chipotle Mexican Grill restaurant, the CDC also noted.

Related Link: Deutsche Bank: Chipotle Sales Expected To Shrink This Quarter, Stock Has More Downside

CDC Offers Investigation Update

Since its last major update on November 20, the CDC issued a release on Friday, stating that seven more people have reported ill with E. coli. Of the three most recent illness reported in November, only one person ate at Chipotle Mexican Grill within the week before the illness began.

In fact, the CDC said that 47 out of 52 ill people interviewed by health officials indicated they dined at a Chipotle Mexican Grill restaurant. As such, the agency reiterated its view that based on epidemiologic evidence available at the time, a "common meal item or ingredient served at Chipotle Mexican Grill restaurants in several states is a likely source of this outbreak."