Severe E. coli outbreak in Mountain West states linked to McDonald’s Quarter Pounders

The CDC is reporting a severe E. coli outbreak in 10 states linked to McDonald’s Quarter Pounders.

States include Oregon, Montana, Wyoming, Utah, Colorado, Nebraska, Kansas, Iowa, Missouri and Wisconsin.

Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota are not included in the outbreak at this time.

Nearly 50 people have gotten sick with the majority of the cases in Colorado where one older person has died.

Eleven people have been hospitalized including one child.

Everyone reported eating a Quarter Pounder at McDonald’s before their illness started.

Investigators are focused on slivered onions and fresh beef patties as the possible cause.

McDonald’s has removed those items from stores in the affected states while the investigation continues.

What You Should Do:

• If you have severe symptoms of E. coli infection after eating a Quarter Pounder hamburger at McDonald’s, seek health care and tell your provider about what you ate.

E. coli Symptoms:

• Most people infected with Shiga toxin-producing E. coli experience severe stomach cramps, diarrhea (often bloody), and vomiting.
  • Symptoms usually start 3 to 4 days after swallowing the bacteria.
  • Most people recover without treatment after 5 to 7 days.
• Some people may develop serious kidney problems (hemolytic uremic syndrome, also called HUS) and would need to be hospitalized.