McDonald’s Burger Linked To E Coli Outbreak In US; 1 Killed, Dozens Sick

A severe E. coli outbreak linked to McDonald’s Quarter Pounder hamburgers has killed one person and many have fallen sick, the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said on Tuesday.

Following the announcement, shares in the fast-food chain dropped over six percent in after-hours trading.

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Ten people have been hospitalised, including one child with haemolytic uremic syndrome, a condition that damages blood vessels in the kidneys.

According to the CDC, the outbreak began in September and spans over 10 western states with 49 cases primarily concentrated in Colorado and Nebraska. Most people in the outbreak reported eating the Quarter Pounder hamburger at McDonald’s before becoming sick. The specific ingredient linked to the illness is yet to be identified by the health agency.

Based on early investigation, the CDC is focusing on silvered onions and beef patties. Both the ingredients have been pulled from restaurants in the affected regions.

“Food safety is so important to me and everyone at McDonald’s,” said Joe Erlinger, President of McDonald’s USA. “We’ve also made the decision to temporarily remove the Quarter Pounder from restaurants in select states,” he added.

The CDC stated that those who had eaten the Quarter Pounder had developed symptoms, including diarrhoea, fever over 102 degrees Fahrenheit (38.9C), and vomiting. Symptoms usually began three to four days after exposure. While most people recover within five to seven days without needing treatment, some can become severe and require hospitalisation.

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The strain involved, E. coli 0157:H7, can cause serious illness and was the source of the 1993 outbreak, which killed four children after they ate undercooked hamburgers at Jack in the Box restaurants.