The Escherichia coli O157:H7 outbreak traced to contaminated raw onions on Quarter Pounder hamburgers served at McDonald’s has grown by 14 reported cases, 7 hospitalizations, and 1 more state, topping 100 illnesses, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said in an update yesterday.
Since the CDC launched an investigation on October 22, the Shiga toxin–producing E coli outbreak has sickened 104 people, with 34 hospitalizations, 4 cases of the life-threatening kidney disease called hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), and the death of an 88-year-old man in Colorado. Illness onsets were reported from September 12 to October 21.
Ongoing risk low, agency says
The tainted slivered yellow onions at restaurants where they were distributed are expired and have been recalled by the supplier, Taylor Farms. McDonald’s has since sourced a different supplier for the affected locations.
The likelihood of contaminated onions still being available for sale is low.
The vegetables had been distributed to only food-service establishments such as restaurants rather than retail outlets. “The likelihood of contaminated onions still being available for sale is low,” the update said.
Affected states include Colorado, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oregon, Utah, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.
Symptoms of E coli infection include stomach cramps, diarrhea, fever, and nausea or vomiting. Severe cases can cause bloody diarrhea and HUS and lead to high blood pressure, chronic kidney disease, and neurologic problems.
