The Minnesota Department of Health said in a statement that it is investigating salmonella cases linked to Chipotle restaurants throughout the state. Since September 2, about 45 cases of salmonella infection have been reported to state health officials.

Investigators said out of 34 people they interviewed, almost 32 ate or likely ate at 17 different Chipotle restaurant locations. They said most of the restaurants are in the Twin Cities area, including one in St. Cloud and one in Rochester.

As per health officials, meal dates of the people interviewed range from August 16 to August 26, and these people became ill between August 20 and August 29.

People infected with salmonella range in age from 15 to 67 years. It was noted that five of the infected people were also hospitalized, and all have recovered now.

It has been found that the investigators from Health Department and the Minnesota Department of Agriculture are working on identifying a specific food source of the outbreak.

Chipotle has changed the source of the suspect produce item under investigation. "Chipotle has been extremely proactive in collaborating with investigators to quickly control the outbreak and identify its source", said Dana Eikmeier, epidemiologist for the Foodborne Diseases Unit of MDH.

As per experts, symptoms of salmonella infection include diarrhea, abdominal pain and fever. Symptoms usually begin within 12 to 72 hours after exposure, but they can begin up to a week after exposure.

The Minnesota Department of Health last week announced an investigation associated with cucumbers from Mexico. The outbreak in Minnesota was related mostly to Red Lobster restaurants and involved 12 people.