The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said on Tuesday that a serious E. coli epidemic connected to McDonald’s Quarter Pounder hamburgers has resulted in at least one death and several illnesses.
According to the health service, the epidemic, which started in late September, has spread to ten western states, with Colorado and Nebraska accounting for the majority of the 49 cases. Following the statement, the fast food chain’s stock fell more than 6% in after-hours trade.
A toddler with hemolytic uremic syndrome, a dangerous illness that damages kidney blood vessels, is among the ten patients admitted to the hospital. According to a CDC release, “One elderly person in Colorado has passed away.” The same strain of E. coli was present in all afflicted individuals, and the majority particularly recalled consuming Quarter Pounders at McDonald’s before to the onset of their illness.
Although the precise substance responsible for the epidemic has not yet been identified, investigators are concentrating on beef patties and sliced onions, both of which have been banned from eateries in the impacted states until more research is conducted.
In a video statement, McDonald’s USA President Joe Erlinger said, “Food safety is very important to me and everyone at McDonald’s.” “In some places, we’ve taken preemptive measures to ban sliced onions, which are used in quarter pounders.
“In certain states, we have also decided to temporarily remove the Quarter Pounder from restaurants.” The vast majority of nations are unaffected, he noted. Other beef products and other menu items are still offered in the impacted states.
The organization recommended that anybody who ingested a Quarter Pounder and had vomiting, diarrhea, or a temperature over 102 degrees Fahrenheit (38.9C) as signs of E. coli contamination should see a doctor. Most people recover without therapy in five to seven days, with symptoms usually starting three to four days after exposure. Nonetheless, certain situations may worsen and need hospitalization.
