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An E. coli outbreak linked to McDonald’s Quarter Pounders has killed one person and hospitalized 10, according to an announcement Tuesday from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control. Forty-nine cases have been identified in 10 states, mostly in Colorado and Nebraska, dating from Sept. 27 to Oct. 11.
The CDC reports it’s not yet known which specific food ingredient in the hamburgers may have been contaminated with E. coli. McDonald’s has reportedly stopped using fresh slivered onions and quarter-pound beef patties in some states while the investigation into the source of the E. coli continues.
The CDC notes that quarter pound beef patties are only used on Quarter Pounders at McDonald’s stores, while fresh slivered onions are “primarily” used by the restaurant chain’s Quarter Pounders and aren’t included on other items.
While the illnesses identified so far have ranged from Sept. 27 to Oct. 11, there’s a good chance there will be more, since it typically takes 3 to 4 weeks to determine if someone who’s fallen ill is part of a specific outbreak. The CDC also notes that the true number of sick people will almost certainly be an undercount given the fact that many people recover without the need for medical care and are never tested.
The CDC included a graph in its news release showing when people were reportedly made sick.
Screenshot: CDC The public health agency also included a map showing where the cases have shown up geographically.
Image: CDC McDonald’s stock price plunged 9% in after-hours trading.
This is a breaking news story and will be updated.
