A map from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows the states in which people have fallen ill after eating a McDonald’s Quarter Pounder burger and becoming infected with E. coli.
The E. coli outbreak that sickened 49 people and killed one in 10 states First associated with the famous hamburger at the Golden Arches On Tuesday evening.
Colorado and Nebraska are the states with the highest number of confirmed cases. The CDC said at least 26 people have fallen ill in Colorado, including an elderly man who died.
According to the CDC, there are nine confirmed cases of E. coli in Nebraska, the next highest number in any single state.
Wyoming and Utah each have four confirmed cases of E. coli linked to the McDonald’s outbreak, the CDC said.
Oregon, Montana, Wisconsin, Iowa, Missouri and Kansas have each confirmed one illness linked to the outbreak, the CDC said.
E. coli O157:H7 strain that caused rapid McDonald’s outbreak Can cause serious illness and complications,
The CDC said one person whose illness was linked to the outbreak has developed hemolytic uremic syndrome, a serious condition that can lead to kidney failure.
The CDC warned that “the actual number of people sick in this outbreak is likely to be much higher than reported” because many people recover from E. coli without medical care.
Bacterial infections are most serious in children, the elderly, and individuals with weakened immune systems.
The CDC urged customers who experience symptoms of diarrhea, fever, vomiting or dehydration after eating a McDonald’s Quarter Pounder to contact their healthcare provider.
McDonald’s has temporarily stopped serving Quarter Pounder patties and chopped onions in Colorado, Kansas, Utah, Wyoming and parts of Idaho, Iowa, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico and Oklahoma while investigators look into the matter. Are working to confirm which ingredient fueled the outbreak. CDC said.
The first illnesses associated with the outbreak began on September 27. The last reported illness began on October 11.
The CDC said the sick individuals ranged in age from 13 to 88 years old.
The CDC interviewed 18 people who fell ill with E. coli. All 18 people reported that they had eaten at McDonald’s before the infection.
About 86% of these individuals said they specifically remembered eating the Quarter Pounder hamburger.
