**Colorado Death Linked to E. coli in McDonald's Quarter Pounders, Says CDC**

A recent E. coli outbreak associated with McDonald’s Quarter Pounder hamburgers has resulted in one fatality in Colorado and has affected 26 others in the state, according to federal health officials. The outbreak, described as "fast-moving," has sickened at least 49 individuals across 10 states, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported on Tuesday.

The outbreak has led to ten hospitalizations, including a child with hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a severe condition that can result in kidney failure. The deceased individual was described only as "older" with underlying health conditions by the state health department officials.

The majority of the cases have been reported in Colorado, with Nebraska following. However, the CDC warned that the actual number of affected individuals is likely higher, as many recover without medical intervention and remain untested.

Neither the CDC nor the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) has provided a list of the exact McDonald’s locations in Colorado impacted by the outbreak. The CDC, however, noted that the outbreak is linked to multiple McDonald's restaurants in the state.

The specific source of contamination has yet to be pinpointed. CDC investigators are scrutinizing two ingredients commonly found in Quarter Pounders—fresh slivered onions and fresh quarter pound beef patties. Both ingredients have been pulled from menus in numerous states as a precautionary measure.

Cesar Piña, McDonald's North America chief supply chain officer, stated the company has taken "swift and decisive action" in response to the outbreak, believed to be traced back to a single supplier serving three distribution centers. Consequently, McDonald's has removed the Quarter Pounder from menus in Colorado and extended this action to locations in Kansas, Utah, Wyoming, portions of Idaho, Iowa, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, and Oklahoma.

While other menu items, including the Cheeseburger, Hamburger, Big Mac, McDouble, and Double Cheeseburger, remain available and unaffected, the CDC advises that some strains of E. coli can cause severe health issues such as stomach cramps, bloody or watery diarrhea, vomiting, or fever. Individuals most at risk include young children, pregnant women, seniors, and those with compromised immune systems.

People who have recently consumed a McDonald's Quarter Pounder and are experiencing symptoms are urged to contact their healthcare providers and local public health agencies.