A nationwide E. coli outbreak linked to McDonald’s Quarter Pounder hamburgers has sickened at least 49 people across 10 states, resulting in one death and 10 hospitalizations, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
The fatality was reported in Colorado, where an older person succumbed to the infection. Additionally, a child has been hospitalized with severe kidney complications. The CDC stated that infections were reported between September 27 and October 11 in several states, including Colorado, Nebraska, Iowa, and Utah. Colorado leads with 27 cases, followed by Nebraska with nine.
All individuals interviewed as part of the investigation confirmed they had eaten at McDonald’s before falling ill, with most specifically mentioning the Quarter Pounder. Federal agencies, including the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), are working alongside state health officials to identify the source of contamination.
While no single ingredient has been definitively linked to the outbreak, preliminary findings suggest that slivered onions used on the burgers could be the cause. McDonald’s has halted distribution of the onions from the suspected supplier and has temporarily removed the Quarter Pounder from menus in the affected states, as well as parts of Idaho, Nevada, New Mexico, and Oklahoma.
“We take food safety extremely seriously and it’s the right thing to do,” McDonald’s said in a statement addressing the outbreak.
E. coli O157, the strain implicated in this outbreak, is known to cause severe gastrointestinal illness, including fever, stomach cramps, and bloody diarrhea. In serious cases, especially in young children, the bacteria can lead to kidney failure. The CDC urges anyone experiencing symptoms of E. coli poisoning to seek medical attention immediately and report what they have eaten.
Each year, E. coli O157 infects around 74,000 people in the U.S., resulting in over 2,000 hospitalizations and 61 deaths. Children under the age of 5 are particularly vulnerable to severe complications.
