A serious E. coli outbreak linked to McDonald’s Quarter Pounders is affecting individuals in Kansas, Missouri

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) – The Center For Disease Control has issued a warning of an E. coli outbreak linked to McDonald’s Quarter Pounders, impacting several states, including Kansas and Missouri.

Officials say 49 people from 10 states have been sickened by the same strain of E. coli. While most of the sick people are from Colorado (27) and Nebraska (9), individuals in Kansas and Missouri are affected and health officials say the number of sick people is likely much higher than the reported number.

The CDC Food Safety Alert said everyone interviewed with the illness reported eating at McDonald’s before their illness started, and most specifically mentioned eating a Quarter Pounder hamburger.

Ten people have been hospitalized and one elderly person has died in Colorado as a result of the outbreak.

CDC officials said the specific ingredient linked to the disease has yet to be identified, but researchers are focusing on two ingredients in particular: fresh, sliced ​​onions and fresh beef patties.

Symptoms for those infected include severe stomach cramps, diarrhea and vomiting. They usually start 3-4 days after ingesting the bacteria and most people recover within 5-7 days without treatment. Officials say some people could develop serious kidney problems and require hospitalization.

At least one child has been hospitalized with these problems as a result of the disease.

McDonald’s corporate headquarters issued the following statement late Tuesday:

For more information about the disease, click here.

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