McDonald’s linked to deadly outbreak of E. coli infections

Almost 50 people have become ill with E. coli O157:H7 infections after eating McDonald’s Quarter Pounder hamburgers. One person has died.

The 49 patients are spread across 10 states with the majority being in Colorado with 27 patients and Nebraska with 9. One child has developed hemolytic uremic syndrome, or HUS, which can cause kidney failure, multiple organ damage and even death.

All of the sick people ate at McDonald’s prior to becoming ill and most reported eating Quarter Pounder sandwiches before becoming ill, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The agency did not report how many people have been hospitalized.

“The specific ingredient linked to illness has not yet been identified, but investigators are focused on two ingredients in particular: fresh, slivered onions, and fresh beef (not frozen) patties,” according to a notice from the CDC. 

McDonald’s officials have reported to the CDC that the fast food chain has discontinued sales of its quarter pounders and has stoped using the patties and slivered onions used on the sandwiches in some states.

“Investigators are working to confirm which ingredient in these hamburgers is making people sick and if it went to other restaurants or stores., the CDC reported.

In addition to the CDC, the Food and Drug Administration, the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service are working on the outbreak investigation.

The CDC is urging people who have eaten McDonald’s Quarter Pounder hamburgers and developed symptoms of E. coli infection to immediately seek medical attention because the disease can quickly become severe and lead to serious health problems and death. The symptoms can mimic other illnesses so patients should ask to be tested for E. coli infection.

About E. coli infections
The symptoms of E. coli infections vary for each person but often include severe stomach cramps and diarrhea, which is often bloody. Some patients may also have a fever. Most patients recover within five to seven days. Others can develop severe or life-threatening symptoms and complications, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

About 5 to 10 percent of those diagnosed with E. coli infections develop a potentially life-threatening kidney failure complication, known as a hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). Symptoms of HUS include fever, abdominal pain, feeling very tired, decreased frequency of urination, blood diarrhea, small unexplained bruises or bleeding, and pallor. 

Many people with HUS recover within a few weeks, but some suffer permanent injuries or death. This condition can occur among people of any age but is most common in children younger than five years old because of their immature immune systems, older adults because of deteriorating immune systems, and people with compromised immune systems such as cancer patients. 

People who experience HUS symptoms should immediately seek emergency medical care. People with HUS will likely be hospitalized because the condition can cause other serious and ongoing problems such as hypertension, chronic kidney disease, brain damage, and neurologic problems.

(To sign up for a free subscription to Food Safety News,click here)