The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released a food safety alert Tuesday regarding an outbreak of E. coli infections linked to McDonald’s quarter pounders.
According to a press release from the CDC, 49 people from ten states have gotten sick from the same strain of E. Coli O157:H7, with the majority of those infected by the strain being in Colorado (26) and Nebraska (9).
Cases have also been reported in Iowa (1), Kansas (1), Missouri (1), Montana (1), Oregon (1), Utah (4), Wisconsin (1) and Wyoming (4).
Of those 49 people, ten have been hospitalized and one “older person” in Colorado has died, with one child also hospitalized with complications from hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS).
Investigators said the specific ingredient linked to the illness has not yet been identified, but they are focused on two ingredients in particular: fresh, slivered onions and fresh beef patties.
McDonald’s reported to the CDC they proactively removed the slivered onions and beef patties used for the quarter pounder hamburgers from stores in the affected states while the investigation continues, with quarter pounders in some states being temporarily unavailable.
CDC officials said everyone interviewed in connection to the E. coli outbreak reported eating at McDonald’s before their illness started, and most specifically mentioned eating a quarter pounder.
What to do if you think you have caught the E. Coli infection
If you have severe symptoms of E. coli infection after eating a Quarter Pounder at McDonald’s, seek health care and tell your provider about what you ate.
E. Coli symptoms
Most people infected with Shiga toxin-producing E. coli experience severe stomach cramps, diarrhea (often bloody), and vomiting.
Symptoms usually start three-to-four days after swallowing the bacteria.
Most people recover without treatment after five-to-seven days.
Some people may develop serious kidney problems (hemolytic uremic syndrome, also called HUS) and would need to be hospitalized.
For more information about E. coli, see the About Escherichia coli Infection.