Washington DC - One person has died and dozens have fallen sick following a severe E. coli outbreak linked to McDonald's Quarter Pounder hamburgers, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said Tuesday.
One person has died and dozens have fallen sick following a severe E. coli outbreak linked to McDonald's Quarter Pounder hamburgers, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said Tuesday. © IMAGO / DreamstimeThe outbreak, which began in late September, has spread across 10 western states, with most of the 49 cases concentrated in Colorado and Nebraska, the agency said.
Shares in the fast food chain dropped more than eight percent in after hours trading following the announcement.
Ten people have been hospitalized, including one child with hemolytic uremic syndrome – a serious condition that damages blood vessels in the kidneys.
"One older person in Colorado has died," the CDC statement said.
All affected people carried the same strain of E. coli and reported eating McDonald's Quarter Pounders before developing their symptoms.
While investigators have not yet pinpointed the exact ingredient causing the outbreak, they are focusing on slivered onions and beef patties – both of which have been removed from restaurants in the affected states pending further investigation.
CDC issues warnings against McDonald's Quarter PounderE. COLI OUTBREAK: CDC is investigating 49 illnesses in 10 states linked to McDonald’s Quarter Pounder hamburgers. If you ate a Quarter Pounder hamburger from McDonald’s and have severe symptoms of E. coli, contact your healthcare provider. https://t.co/g87itkupCQ pic.twitter.com/gHzUKCnTi9
— CDC (@CDCgov) October 22, 2024
"Food safety is so important to me and everyone at McDonald's," said Joe Erlinger, president of McDonald's USA in a video message. "We've taken steps to proactively remove slivered onions, which are used in Quarter Pounders, in select states.
"We've also made the decision to temporarily remove the Quarter Pounder from restaurants in select states."
The agency advised those who consumed a Quarter Pounder and developed symptoms of E. coli poisoning – such as diarrhea, a fever over 102 degrees Fahrenheit, and vomiting – to seek medical attention.
McDonald's Quarter Pounder hamburgers are being linked to an outbreak of E. coli that has sickened nearly 50 people in 10 states, killing one person, federal health officials said Tuesday. CBS News medical contributor @DrLaPook has more information. https://t.co/vi88XSsJ7G pic.twitter.com/gY8S3pzwtF
— CBS Evening News (@CBSEveningNews) October 22, 2024
Symptoms typically begin three to four days after exposure, and most individuals recover within five to seven days without treatment. However, some cases can become severe and require hospitalization.
You may also like
Delhi's air quality remains very poor, AQI at 349
Tulsi Gabbard joins Republican Party at Trump rally in North Carolina
McDonald's linked to one death, dozens of food poisonings in US
King Charles fan's seven-word admission after monarch apologises to Sydney crowd
Once a drought-hit district, UP's Banda gets top nat'l award for water conservation