A severe E. coli outbreak linked to McDonald’s Quarter Pounder hamburgers has resulted in one death and 49 reported illnesses, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The outbreak primarily affects residents in Colorado and Nebraska, with slivered onions identified as the likely source of contamination. In response, McDonald’s has suspended sales of Quarter Pounders across 12 states, including Kansas and Utah, and has stopped using the suspect onions while investigations continue.
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The CDC, alongside the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), indicated that the strain involved is E. coli O157, a bacterium known for causing serious foodborne illnesses. Currently, 10 individuals have been hospitalized, including a child with additional health complications. The CDC warns that the actual number of infections may be higher, as many people recover without seeking medical attention. Symptoms of E. coli infection typically appear three to four days after exposure and can include severe stomach cramps, diarrhea (often bloody), vomiting, and mild fever. The CDC advises individuals experiencing severe symptoms to seek medical assistance promptly.