A severe E. coli outbreak in several states has been traced to Quarter Pounder hamburgers served by McDonald's.
At least 49 people across 10 states have fallen ill after eating the burgers, according to the federal Centers for Disease Control & Prevention.
Most cases are in Colorado and Nebraska, and have also been reported in Montana, Wyoming, Utah, Oregon, Kansas, Wisconsin, Iowa, and Missouri.
Ten people have been hospitalized nationwide, and one older person in Colorado has died.
The CDC reports every person who has been interviewed ate at McDonald's, and most specifically reported that they had recently eaten a Quarter Pounder.
The exact ingredient responsible for illness is not yet known. The CDC is focusing its investigation on the fresh onions and beef patties that are part of the sandwich.
From the CDC website:
- Quarter Pounder hamburgers will not be available temporarily in some states.
- Investigators are working to confirm which ingredient in these hamburgers is making people sick and if it went to other restaurants or stores.
- McDonald's reported to CDC that it has stopped using fresh slivered onions and quarter pound beef patties in several states.
- McDonald's is proactively making these changes while investigators work to confirm the contaminated ingredient.
- Quarter pound beef patties are only used on Quarter Pounders.
- Fresh slivered onions are primarily used on Quarter Pounder hamburgers and not other menu items.
The CDC says that recent illnesses may not yet be reported as it usually takes 3 to 4 weeks to determine if a sick person is part of an outbreak.
The true number of sick people in this outbreak is also likely much higher than the number reported. This is because many people recover without medical care and are not tested for E. coli.
E. coli can cause severe stomach cramps and bloody or watery diarrhea. Some people may also experience vomiting or a fever. Symptoms typically start three to four days after ingesting the bacteria and most people typically recover within five to seven days.
The CDC recommends you call your healthcare provider if you have recently eaten a McDonald's Quarter Pounder and are experiencing symptoms of E. coli infection.
