Multistate e. coli outbreak ties one to McDonald's Quarter Pounder, CDC says | CNN

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Tuesday e. coli outbreak that McDonald's says is linked to Quarter Pounders.

At least 49 illnesses have been reported in 10 states, including the death of an elderly person. Ten people were hospitalized, including a child with hemolytic uremic syndrome, a serious complication of E. Can be from coli infection. Most of the illnesses are in Colorado and Nebraska.

The CDC says most of those who became ill reported eating McDonald's Quarter Pounder sandwiches.

The agency said the investigation is “fast-moving” and that data reviewed by the US Food and Drug Administration shows that slivered onions are a possible source of contamination.

The CDC says McDonald's has stopped using the quarter-pound beef patty in several states while the investigation continues. According to the company, the beef patties are used only for the quarter pounder and the slivered onions are used primarily for the quarter pounder and not other items.

McDonald's said in a statement that the results of the preliminary investigation linked Onion to “a single supplier that services three distribution centers.”

“We are working in close partnership with our suppliers to replenish supplies for the Quarter Pounder in the coming weeks (timing will vary by local market),” it said. “In the meantime, all other menu items, including other beef products (including cheeseburgers, hamburgers, Big Macs, McDoubles and double cheeseburgers) are unaffected and available.”

According to the FDA, McDonald's has removed sleeved onions and quarter-pound patties from stores in Colorado, Kansas, Utah, Wyoming and parts of Idaho, Iowa, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico and Oklahoma. In other states, quarter pounder burgers are not available.

However, the CDC also noted that the outbreak may extend beyond those states.

People with E. coli infections may have symptoms including severe abdominal pain, diarrhea, fever, and vomiting. Symptoms of infection usually begin three or four days after ingesting the bacteria. Although most people who become ill recover without treatment within a week, others may develop serious kidney problems and require hospitalization.

Anyone who becomes ill after eating a McDonald's Quarter Pounder should seek medical attention and tell the provider what they ate, the CDC says.

McDonald's said in its statement that “serving customers safely at every single restaurant is our highest priority” and that it will continue to work with the CDC on the investigation.

McDonald's shares fell sharply in after-hours trading as news of the outbreak spread.