Federal health data shows where Americans have been sickened by deadly bacteria after eating a McDonald’s hamburger.
The CDC announced Tuesday that 49 people in 10 states became ill by E coli after eating at McDonald’s, and most reported eating the chain’s Quarter Pounder.
According to CDC data, most patients lived in Colorado, with 26 cases reported including an ‘older’ Colorado man who died from the illness.
Nebraska recorded the second-most cases at nine, and Wyoming and Utah followed closely behind with four each.
Oregon, Montana, Kansas, Missouri, Iowa, and Wisconsin each recorded one case.
The Quarter Pounder – bought by over 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 – slivered onions and beef patties – are no longer being used while officials investigate.
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The above map 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 illness. Nebraska followed closely behind with nine cases
The CDC noted that 10 patients have been hospitalized, including a child suffering from life-threatening kidney damage from hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a rare complication of E coli. It’s unclear where the child lives.
However, officials said that actual number of people affected by the outbreak is ‘likely much higher’ than the reported cases, as many patients recover without undergoing testing or treatment.
It generally takes three to four weeks to determine if a sick patient is part of an outbreak, the agency said.
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The first reported illness happened on September 29, with the last reported illness on October 11, according to the CDC.
The CDC said that anyone who has severe E coli symptoms after eating a Quarter Pounder at McDonald’s should seek medical help and tell the provider what they ate.
McDonald’s North America Chief Supply Chain Officer Cesar Piña said initial findings from the CDC investigation indicate the outbreak may be linked to onions sourced by a single supplier that serves three distribution centers.
He said: ‘As a result, and in line with our safety protocols, all local restaurants have been instructed to remove this product from their supply and we have paused the distribution of all slivered onions in the impacted area.’
He added that McDonald’s was temporarily removing the Quarter Pounder from restaurants in the impacted areas, including Colorado, Kansas, Utah and Wyoming, as well as portions of Idaho, Iowa, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, and Oklahoma.
He added: ‘We take food safety extremely seriously and it’s the right thing to do. Impacted restaurants are receiving a stock recovery notice today and should reach out to their field supply chain manager or distribution center with any questions.’
He assured buyers all other menu items were unaffected and available.
The CDC said that all patients reported eating at McDonald’s before their illnesses, and the majority had eaten the chain’s Quarter Pounder, pictured here
E coli are bacteria typically found in the intestines of animals such as cattle, goats, sheep, and deer.
While most are harmless, some can cause a host of gastrointestinal symptoms, including stomach cramps, bloody diarrhea, and vomiting.
The bacteria can be found in food and water contaminated by feces from infected animals.
E coli infection sickens about 95,000 Americans per year and kills around 17 to 20 percent.
Young children and elderly adults are at the greatest risk of dying from E coli due to having naturally weakened immune systems.
Symptoms include diarrhea, a fever above 102 F, vomiting, and signs of dehydration like not peeing or dry mouth, the CDC said.
The patients in the current outbreak were infected with strain O157:H7, the most common strain in humans that has been shown to cause severe intestinal infections.
The CDC said: ‘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.
