Join on WhatsApp
Join on Telegram
Rabat – One person has died and dozens more have fallen ill across several US states following an E. coli outbreak linked to McDonald’s, health officials confirmed.
A total of 49 people have been infected with the same strain of the bacteria, ten of whom have been hospitalized. Among those hospitalized was an elderly person in Colorado who later died.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that infections have been recorded across ten western states, with the majority of cases in Colorado and Nebraska.
Health officials say all those affected had eaten at McDonald’s prior to falling ill, with many reporting they had consumed the quarter-pound beef burger. The source of the contamination has yet to be identified, but both ground beef and onions are under investigation. Meanwhile, McDonald’s has recalled these ingredients while the investigation continues.
McDonald’s is working with public health officials, according to the CDC. The fast-food chain has stopped using the slivered onions and quarter-pound beef patties in several states, the CDC said.
McDonald’s said in a statement Tuesday afternoon that its “initial findings from the investigation indicate that a subset of illnesses may be linked to slivered onions used in the Quarter Pounder and sourced by a single supplier that serves three distribution centers.”
“We will continue to work with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and are committed to providing timely updates as we restore our full menu,” the statement said.
Matt Wise, chief of the CDC’s Outbreak Response and Prevention Branch, told NBC News, “This is a fast-moving outbreak.”
McDonald’s shares dropped by over 10% after the New York Stock Exchange after the news spread on Tuesday.
E. coli can cause stomach cramps, diarrhea, and vomiting, with symptoms typically lasting three to four days. Most people recover without treatment, but complications can occur.
