Federal health data shows that Americans have become sick from deadly bacteria after eating a McDonald’s hamburger.
The CDC announced Tuesday that 49 people in 10 states became ill with E. coli after eating at McDonald’s, with most reporting eating the chain’s Quarter Pounder.
According to CDC data, most of the patients lived in Colorado, with 26 reported cases, including an “older” Colorado man who died from the disease.
Nebraska recorded the second-most cases with nine, and Wyoming and Utah followed closely with four each.
Oregon, Montana, Kansas, Missouri, Iowa and Wisconsin each recorded one case.
The Quarter Pounder – which is purchased by more than 100,000 Americans every day – has been removed from stores in some of those states as a precaution.
Meanwhile, the two ingredients feared to be involved in the contamination – sliced onions and beef patties – are no longer being used while officials investigate.
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The map above shows where patients sickened by E coli from McDonald’s Quarter Pounders were located. Colorado recorded the most cases at 26, including an old man who died from the disease. Nebraska followed closely with nine cases
The CDC noted that 10 patients have been hospitalized, including a child suffering from life-threatening kidney damage due to hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a rare complication of E. coli. It is unclear where the child lives.
However, officials said the actual number of people affected by the outbreak is “likely much higher” than reported cases, as many patients recover without undergoing testing or treatment.
It typically takes three to four weeks to determine whether a sick patient is part of an outbreak, the agency said.
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According to the CDC, the first reported illness occurred on September 29, and the last reported illness occurred on October 11.
The CDC said anyone who has severe E coli symptoms after eating a Quarter Pounder at McDonald’s should seek medical attention and tell the provider what they ate.
Cesar Piña, chief supply chain officer for McDonald’s North America, said initial findings from the CDC investigation indicate the outbreak may be linked to onions sourced from a single supplier serving three distribution centers.
He said: ‘As a result, and in line with our safety protocols, all local restaurants have been instructed to withdraw this product from their stock and we have halted the distribution of all chopped onions in the affected area.’
He added that McDonald’s temporarily removed the Quarter Pounder from restaurants in affected areas, including Colorado, Kansas, Utah and Wyoming, as well as parts of Idaho, Iowa, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico and Oklahoma.
He added: ‘We take food safety very seriously and it is the right thing to do. Affected restaurants will receive a stock recovery notice today and should contact their supply chain manager or distribution center with any questions.”
He assured buyers that all other menu items were unaffected and available.
The CDC said all patients reported eating at McDonald’s before their illness, and that the majority had eaten the chain’s Quarter Pounder, pictured here
E coli are bacteria that are commonly found in the intestines of animals such as cattle, goats, sheep and deer.
While most are harmless, some can cause a variety of gastrointestinal symptoms, including stomach cramps, bloody diarrhea and vomiting.
The bacteria can be found in food and water contaminated with feces from infected animals.
E coli infection sickens about 95,000 Americans a year and kills about 17 to 20 percent.
Young children and older adults are at the greatest risk of dying from E coli due to a naturally weakened immune system.
Symptoms include diarrhea, fever above 104 degrees Fahrenheit, vomiting and signs of dehydration, such as not urinating or dry mouth, according to the CDC.
The patients in the current outbreak were infected with strain O157:H7, the most common strain in humans that has been shown to cause serious intestinal infections.
The CDC said, “If you have serious symptoms of an E. coli infection after eating a Quarter Pounder hamburger at McDonald’s, seek health care and tell your provider what you ate.”