ATLANTA: An E. coli outbreak linked to McDonald’s Quarter Pounder burgers has resulted in 49 reported illnesses, including one death, across the United States, the national public health agency revealed. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) identified the outbreak strain as E. coli O157:H7, with the majority of cases occurring in Colorado and Nebraska.

According to Azeri-Press news agency, the CDC reported that 10 out of 28 individuals with available information have been hospitalized, and one person developed hemolytic uremic syndrome, a severe condition that can lead to kidney failure. The outbreak has already resulted in the death of an older adult in Colorado. The CDC is currently investigating the outbreak, noting that most affected individuals reported consuming McDonald’s Quarter Pounders. Investigators are working to confirm which ingredient may be contaminated.

The CDC warned that the actual number of affected individuals is likely higher than reported, as many people recover w
ithout seeking medical care and are not tested for E. coli. Additionally, new cases may not yet be reported due to the time it takes to identify and confirm outbreaks.

In response to the outbreak, McDonald’s issued a statement indicating that initial investigations suggest a possible link to slivered onions used in the Quarter Pounders, sourced from a single supplier servicing three distribution centers. As a precaution, McDonald’s has instructed local restaurants to remove the product from their supply and paused distribution of slivered onions in impacted areas. The company has also temporarily removed the Quarter Pounder from restaurants in regions including Colorado, Kansas, Utah, Wyoming, and parts of Idaho, Iowa, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, and Oklahoma.

Following the CDC’s announcement, McDonald’s shares experienced a significant drop of over 9 percent in after-hours trading.