Food Safety News reports that an E. coli outbreak initially linked to a restaurant in Seattle is now being investigated as a multi-state outbreak with cases confirmed in four states.

In addition to seven Washington residents reported last week in connection with the Matador restaurant in Seattle, the outbreak has also sickened people in Colorado, Idaho and New York.

Officials with the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Washington state Department of Health confirmed Monday that each of the other three states has at least one outbreak victim each, bringing the total to 10 people infected.

All 10 victims were infected with the same strain of E. coli, according to state and federal officials. As of Monday officials reported one of the out-of-state patients reported eating at the Matador restaurant in Seattle during the outbreak time frame.

Lola Russell, a spokeswoman for the CDC, said Monday that the federal agency is assisting Washington’s health department. The state agency is leading the investigation at this point, but had nothing new to report as of Monday afternoon.

The Matador restaurant, which was closed Sept. 9 by the Seattle & King County health department, was cleared to reopen on Sept. 15. The outbreak victims who dined at the Matador before becoming ill ate at the restaurant on Aug. 14 and 22, according to Seattle and King County officials.

The restaurant chain has locations in Washington, Oregon, Colorado, Nevada and Idaho, according to its website.

Marler Clark, The Food Safety Law Firm, is the nation’s leading law firm representing victims of E. coli outbreaks and hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). The E. coli lawyers of Marler Clark have represented thousands of victims of E. coli and other foodborne illness infections and have recovered over $600 million for clients. Marler Clark is the only law firm in the nation with a practice focused exclusively on foodborne illness litigation.  Our E. coli lawyers have litigated E. coli and HUS cases stemming from outbreaks traced to ground beef, raw milk, lettuce, spinach, sprouts, and other food products.  The law firm has brought E. coli lawsuits against such companies as Jack in the Box, Dole, ConAgra, Cargill, and Jimmy John’s.  We have proudly represented such victims as Brianne Kiner, Stephanie Smith and Linda Rivera.

If you or a family member became ill with an E. coli infection or HUS after consuming food and you’re interested in pursuing a legal claim, contact the Marler Clark E. coli attorneys for a free case evaluation.