One Dead, Dozens Sick After Contaminated McDonald's Hamburgers

One death and dozens of sick people are the results of an outbreak caused by E. coli. Victims in several US states were infected after eating McDonald's Quarter Pounder hamburgers, reports Le Monde.

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The outbreak, which began in late September, has spread to 10 Midwestern states, with 49 cases reported, most of them in Colorado and Nebraska, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said on Oct. 22.

All the victims were eating McDonald's Quarter Pounder burgers with a large beef patty. As a result, one person died, almost 50 fell ill, and ten were hospitalized. Among the latter was a child with hemolytic uremic syndrome. This is a serious disease that damages the blood vessels in the kidneys.

“One older person in Colorado has died,” the CDC said in a statement. All of the victims were carrying the same strain of E. coli. They said they had eaten at McDonald’s before developing symptoms, with nearly all recalling eating Quarter Pounder burgers.

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While investigators have not yet identified the exact ingredient that caused the outbreak, they are focusing on chopped onions and beef patties. Both products have been pulled from restaurants in the affected states for further investigation.

“Food safety is important to me and everyone at McDonald’s,” said Joe Erlinger, president of McDonald’s USA. “We have taken steps to proactively remove the sliced ​​onions used in Quarter Pounders in certain states. Additionally, we have made the decision to temporarily remove Quarter Pounder burgers from restaurants in certain states.”

Erlinger noted that most states are unaffected by the outbreak. In states where people have gotten sick, other items on the McDonald's menu, including beef products, remain available.

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The agency advised anyone who ate a Quarter Pounder and developed symptoms of E. coli poisoning (diarrhea, fever, a temperature above 38,9°F (XNUMX°C) and vomiting) to seek medical attention. Symptoms usually appear three to four days after exposure, and most people recover within five to seven days without treatment. However, some cases can become severe, requiring hospitalization.

Shares of the fast-food chain fell more than 6%.

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