Home More E. coli cases, hospitalizations reported in Quarter Pounder outbreak
U.S. & World News

More E. coli cases, hospitalizations reported in Quarter Pounder outbreak

Crystal Graham
Mcdonalds hamburger and fries
(© Bill – stock.adobe.com)

The E. coli infection traced to McDonald’s Quarter Pounder hamburgers has now grown to 75 cases with 22 hospitalizations and one death in 13 states, according to an update posted today from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

This represents 26 new cases, 12 new hospitalizations and three new states since the initial announcement on Oct. 22. There are still no reported cases in Virginia. The one death was reported in Colorado.

Taylor Farms, a Salinas, Calif.-based company, produced the onions that were served on hamburgers. The onions are being investigated by the CDC as the source of the outbreak.

“The initial findings from the investigation indicate that a subset of illnesses may be linked to slivered onions used in the Quarter Pounder and sourced by a single supplier that serves three distribution centers,” said McDonald’s in a statement. “As a result, and in line with our safety protocols, all local restaurants have been instructed to remove this product from their supply and we have paused the distribution of all slivered onions in the impacted area.”

Taylor Farms has initiated a voluntary recall of some onions sent to food service operators.

Other fast food restaurants have stopped serving fresh onions in response to the outbreak. Taco Bell, Pizza Hut and KFC discontinued the use of fresh onions temporarily “out of an abundance of caution.”

Most people infected have symptoms starting three to four days after consumption, and the majority of people recover without treatment after five to seven days, according to the CDC.

The true number of sick people is likely much higher than the number reported. Many people recover without medical care and are not tested for E. coli.

It can take up to four weeks to determine if a sick person is part of an outbreak.

Related story

McDonald’s serving up fries, E.coli in outbreak announced today by CDC

Crystal Graham

Crystal Graham

Crystal Abbe Graham is the regional editor of Augusta Free Press. A 1999 graduate of Virginia Tech, she has worked for 25 years as a reporter and editor for several Virginia publications, written a book, and garnered more than a dozen Virginia Press Association awards for writing and graphic design. She was the co-host of "Viewpoints," a weekly TV news show, and co-host of Virginia Tonight, a nightly TV news show on PBS. Her work on "Virginia Tonight" earned her a national Telly award for excellence in television.