McDonald’s has pulled an item from the menu in the 10 affected states as a precautionary measure. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has revealed that one person has died and another 49 are confirmed cases of E.coli believed to be as a result of a popular McDonald’s menu item.
Between September 27 and October 11, 10 US states reported people testing positive for E.coli. A total of 49 cases of illness have been reported in 10 states, with one fatality involving an elderly individual. Ten people have been admitted to the hospital, among them a child who developed hemolytic uremic syndrome, a severe complication that can arise from an E. coli infection. The majority of the cases have been identified in Colorado and Nebraska.
States and individuals affected
E. coli cases linked to McDonald’s have so far been reported in several states, including Colorado, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Oregon, Utah, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.
Out of the 49 total cases, 27 are in Colorado, where one person has died, and a child is suffering from severe kidney complications.
The ages of those impacted range from 13 to 88 years old.
The investigation
In response, the fast food chain released a statement confirming that they have stopped using ‘slivered onions’ as well as quarter-pound beef patties supplied by a single source that serves three distribution centers. They have paused the distribution of these onions in affected areas and have also temporarily removed the Quarter Pounder from restaurants in those regions “as a precautionary measure.”
According to the CDC, McDonald’s is working with the organization to identify the contaminated ingredient, with the investigation officially starting from October 22.
Officials are concerned that the number of cases may rise significantly since it can take weeks for new cases to be reported.
McDonald’s statement
McDonald’s issued a statement, as reported by NBC Chicago, emphasizing: “At McDonald’s, ensuring customer safety in all of our restaurants is our top priority, and it’s something we will never compromise on. This is why we are taking swift and decisive action in response to the E. Coli outbreak affecting certain states.
“We take food safety with the utmost seriousness, and this is the right course of action. Impacted locations are being notified today to recover affected stock, and they should contact their field supply chain manager or distribution center with any questions.
“We are closely collaborating with our suppliers to restock the Quarter Pounder in the coming weeks, although the timeline will differ by local market. In the meantime, all other menu items, including our other beef products such as the Cheeseburger, Hamburger, Big Mac, McDouble, and Double Cheeseburger, remain unaffected and available.
“We will continue working with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and are committed to providing timely updates as we restore our full menu.”
What is E. coli and how do you get it?
The Cleveland Clinic explains that *E. coli* is a group of bacteria that can cause infections in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, urinary tract, and other parts of the body. Usually, it resides in the gut without causing harm.
However, certain strains can lead to illness, manifesting as watery diarrhea, vomiting, and fever. The Shiga toxin-producing strain (STEC) is particularly dangerous and likely to cause severe illness.
You can become infected by consuming contaminated food. This includes undercooked meat or raw fruits and vegetables that haven’t been properly washed, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has linked the recent outbreak to McDonald’s Quarter Pounder burger. All reported cases had eaten at McDonald’s, with many people noting they consumed this burger before getting sick. While the exact ingredient responsible for the outbreak has not been identified, McDonald’s has already taken precautionary steps while the investigation continues.
Symptoms
According to the CDC, symptoms usually appear three to four days after exposure to the bacteria. Recovery typically takes five to seven days without the need for medical treatment.
However, the CDC urges the public to contact their healthcare provider if they’ve recently eaten a McDonald’s Quarter Pounder and experience any of the following symptoms:
- Fever higher than 102°F
- Diarrhea that lasts more than three days, does not improve, or contains blood
- Vomiting, especially if you’re unable to retain liquids
- Signs of dehydration, such as infrequent urination, dry mouth and throat, or feeling dizzy when standing
In severe cases, *E. coli* infection can lead to serious kidney complications.