By IDSE News Staff
In what the CDC called a “fast-moving outbreak investigation,” the agency issued a food safety alert about an outbreak of Escherichia coli O157:H7, which looks like it could be linked to the McDonald’s Quarter Pounder.
As of Oct. 22, 49 people from 10 states have become ill from the same strain of E. coli O157:H7, most of them from Colorado (27) and Nebraska (9). So far, 10 people have been hospitalized, including one child who has been hospitalized with complications of hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). One older person in Colorado has died.
All the people interviewed reported eating at McDonald’s before their illness began, and many mentioned eating a Quarter Pounder hamburger.
The specific ingredient linked to illness has not yet been identified, but investigators are focused on two in particular: fresh, slivered onions and fresh beef patties.
McDonald’s told the CDC it would remove the slivered onions and beef patties used for the Quarter Pounder hamburgers from stores in the affected states while the investigation continues.
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.
