A McDonald's Quarter Pounder hamburger is linked to an E. coli outbreak that has infected nearly 50 people in 10 states, killing one person, federal health officials said Tuesday.
Most of the patients reported eating a McDonald's Quarter Pounder, and investigators are working to confirm which food ingredients were contaminated, according to to US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
A total of 49 cases have been reported so far. The CDC stated that most cases occurred in Colorado and Nebraska, with 26 people infected in the former and nine in the latter. Of the 26 people who became ill in Colorado, one elderly person died, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said. Health officials in Utah and Wyoming reported four illnesses. Other states that have reported cases include Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Oregon and Wisconsin.
At least 10 people were taken to hospital. The illnesses began at the end of September, and the last incident occurred on October 11.
Another person developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a serious condition that can cause kidney failure, according to the CDC. The person who died is not the same person with HUS.
“Preliminary results of the investigation indicate that a subset of illnesses may be linked to the cut onions used in the Quarter Pounder and sourced by a single supplier serving three distribution centers,” said Cesar Peña, the company's chief supply chain officer for North America. statement.
McDonald's is eliminating the Quarter Pounder
The company said it will remove the Quarter Pounder from restaurants in the affected region, including Colorado, Kansas, Utah and Wyoming, as well as parts of Idaho, Iowa, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico and Oklahoma.
McDonald's is cooperating with federal and state public health officials and has discontinued the use of fresh onion slices and quarter-pound beef patties in several states, where the product will be temporarily unavailable, the CDC said.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said quarter-pound beef patties are only used in Quarter Pounders, and fresh cut onions are primarily used in Quarter Pounder hamburgers and not other menu items.
It usually takes three to four weeks to determine if a sick person is part of an outbreak. Most people infected with toxin-producing E. coli experience severe stomach cramps, diarrhea, and vomiting. Most recover without treatment after five to seven days.
People are advised to contact their healthcare provider if they ate a McDonald's Quarter Pounder and have severe E. coli symptoms, as follows:
- Diarrhea and fever higher than 102 degrees Fahrenheit
– Diarrhea for more than 3 days without improvement
– Bloody diarrhea - Vomiting so severe that you cannot keep down fluids
- Signs of dehydration, such as:
– Decreased urination
– Dry mouth and throat
– Feeling dizzy when standing
McDonald's shares fell sharply in after-hours trading, recently falling 7%.
The outbreak is not the first linked to the Golden Arches. In 2018, there was a disease outbreak Intestinal disease Linked to McDonald's authorities, it sickened more than 500 people in more than a dozen states.
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