According to the CDC -- which no one trusts after the COVID years -- so far, at least 49 people have become ill across 10 states and one person has died, an elderly man in Colorado. Meanwhile, a child has been hospitalized with life-threatening kidney damage.
Although authorities have yet to identify the specific ingredient behind the outbreak, they are currently focused on the beef patties and slivered onions featured in the sandwich. McDonald's has already stopped using both ingredients in the affected states and removed Quarter Pounders from its menu temporarily. 110,000 of the burgers are sold throughout the country each day.
They claim that the beef patties in question are only used for Quarter Pounders, while the slivered onions are not used on other menu items; the diced onions and beef patties featured in other sandwiches at the chain have not been linked to the outbreak.
Although it can take several weeks to establish whether illnesses are linked to an outbreak, the CDC reports that the investigation into this one has been “fast moving” as the outbreak is widely expected to grow, and new cases are regularly being reported.
The data so far indicates that the onset of illnesses linked to the outbreak were reported between September 27 and October 11. However, these dates could shift as more cases are brought to the attention of authorities.
E coli is a fairly common bacteria, but some types of it can cause illness after people swallow it. Infections typically occur after someone has consumed water or food contaminated with the bacteria; it can also be spread among humans through inadequate bathroom hygiene.
Some of the symptoms of E. coli infections include severe stomach cramping, fever, vomiting and diarrhea. These symptoms typically emerge within 3 or 4 days of eating the contaminated food.
Although most of those who develop an E. coli infection will recover without treatment, some people may require hospitalization, particularly children younger than 5, senior citizens, and those with weakened immune systems. Infections can cause serious complications, such as kidney problems, and are sometimes fatal.
Right now, at least 10 people have been hospitalized with infections linked to the McDonald's outbreak. Most of the illnesses that have been reported so far stem from McDonald's locations in Nebraska and Colorado, but illnesses have also been reported in Kansas, Montana, Utah, Missouri, Iowa, Wyoming, Wisconsin and Oregon.
The CDC has issued some specific recommendations for people who have recently consumed Quarter Pounders from McDonald's in these states, advising those who experience severe symptoms such as diarrhea that does not improve in three days, especially if it's bloody, vomiting that prevents them from proper hydration, or a fever exceeding 102° to seek medical attention.
Foodborne illnesses rising
According to data released by the CDC this summer, foodborne illnesses are increasing in the U.S., with some, like E. coli, being recorded at numbers that are much higher than federal targets.
The data shows that there was a 25% rise in E. coli illnesses in 2023 compared to five years earlier, coming in 40% above the target rate.
Other pathogens that cause foodborne illness have also been making headlines recently, with Boar’s Head issuing a major recall this summer for more than 7.2 million pounds of deli meat products after at least nine deaths and dozens of hospitalizations due to listeria contamination were reported.
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