Ixtapa, a Mexican restaurant has been identified as the source of E. coli infection that affected 17 people in Snohomish County.

According to health officials 13 out of the total 17 victims had eaten at Ixtapa. The owners have voluntarily closed the restaurant after the reports. Snohomish Health District officials said that they were co operating with them to resolve the problem.

The place is being sanitized. The health officials are pinning down the exact cause of the infection.

Health District spokeswoman Suzanne Pate said, "It's like looking for a needle in the haystack.”

On the other hand the restaurant owners issued statement saying, "Food safety and the health of our customers is the No. 1 priority of Ixtapa's owners and employees." "All of our employees are certified through state-approved food safety programs, and we set the highest standards for compliance."