The San Diego County Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) reports six additional cases of Hepatitis A linked to possible exposure at a Chipotle restaurant in La Mesa, bringing the total number of cases to 12.

The County recommends that individuals who dined at the restaurant between March 1 and April 22, 2008 — and are symptomatic for Hepatitis A — see their physician to be screened for the illness.

Wilma Wooten, M.D., M.P.H., County of San Diego Public Health Officer, said,

“Hepatitis A is a vaccine-preventable illness. The key to prevention also includes appropriate and frequent hand-washing."

Monty Moran, president and chief operating officer of Chipotle, said,

“We continue to partner with the County of San Diego as they investigate the cause of this illness. Employees tested to date have been negative for Hepatitis A. Our restaurant has received ‘A’ ratings in all five inspections in the last five months.”

Keep poop out of food. Wash your damn hands.