CDC Says McDonald’s E. Coli Outbreak Linked to 1 Death and 10 Hospitalizations

An E. coli outbreak linked to McDonald’s Quarter Pounders has killed one person and hospitalized 10, according to an announcement Tuesday from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control. Forty-nine cases have been identified in 10 states, mostly in Colorado and Nebraska, dating from Sept. 27 to Oct. 11.

The CDC reports it’s not yet known which specific food ingredient in the hamburgers may have been contaminated with E. coli. McDonald’s has reportedly stopped using fresh slivered onions and quarter-pound beef patties in some states while the investigation into the source of E. coli continues.

The CDC notes that quarter-pound beef patties are only used on Quarter Pounders at McDonald’s stores, while fresh slivered onions are “primarily” used by the restaurant chain’s Quarter Pounders and aren’t included on other items. Most people in this outbreak have reportedly eaten Quarter Pounders, according to the CDC.

Of the 49 people who’ve been identified so far in this E. coli outbreak, one person has developed hemolytic uremic syndrome, which can cause kidney failure. The person who died is an “older adult in Colorado,” though that’s not the person who developed hemolytic uremic syndrome, according to the CDC. Most people infected with E. coli can expect to experience severe stomach cramps, diarrhea, and vomiting.

While the illnesses identified so far have ranged from Sept. 27 to Oct. 11, there’s a good chance there will be more cases, since it typically takes 3 to 4 weeks to determine if someone who’s fallen ill is part of a specific outbreak. The CDC also notes that the true number of sick people will almost certainly be an undercount, given the fact that many people recover without the need for medical care and are never tested.

The CDC included a graph in its news release showing when people were reportedly made sick.

Screenshot: CDC

The public health agency also included a map showing where the cases have shown up geographically. Cases have been reported in Colorado, Utah, Wyoming, Oregon, Montana, Nebraska, Kansas, Iowa, Missouri, and Wisconsin.

Image: CDC

The agency also provided demographic information for those who’ve gotten sick, with an age range from 13-88 years old. The median age of those who fell ill is 26. Men have accounted for 63% of those who’ve gotten sick and women are 37% of the current E. coli cases from this outbreak. The CDC says 93% of the people who’ve gotten sick so far are white, and 7% are Black, with no other races represented in the current data.

Reached for comment on Tuesday, McDonald’s sent a link to both a written statement and a YouTube video that provides slightly more information that the CDC didn’t note in its own release, including that the slivered onions were “sourced by a single supplier that serves three distribution centers.”

McDonald’s said that it takes food safety “extremely seriously” and other beef products, including the cheeseburger, hamburger, Big Mac, McDouble and the double cheeseburger, are unaffected and available while the Quarter Pounder is no longer being sold in some markets.

A number of disturbing food recalls have occurred in the U.S. in recent months, including 10 million pounds of meat and poultry from BrucePAC, which produces chicken for a number of different brands and grocery stores across the country, recalled over listeria concerns. Boar’s Head also had a recall over the summer as 10 people were killed and dozens more hospitalized from a listeria outbreak.

A major recall in frozen waffles last week over listeria concerns was expanded on Tuesday over fears pancakes and other toaster products may be affected, according to the Associated Press. The recent recalls have also affected products carried by major brands that U.S. consumers regularly rely on, including big grocery retailers like Albertson’s, Aldi, Dollar General, Kroger, Publix, Target, and Walmart, among others.

McDonald’s stock price plunged 9% in after-hours trading, according to CNBC. The fast food giant did not immediately respond to questions emailed Tuesday. Gizmodo will update this post if we hear back.