### E. coli Outbreak Linked to McDonald's Quarter Pounders Affects Multiple States

An E. coli outbreak associated with McDonald's Quarter Pounder sandwiches has led to 49 reported illnesses across 10 states and resulted in one death. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a food safety alert on Tuesday, indicating that many affected individuals had consumed the Quarter Pounder before falling ill.

While the specific culprit of the contamination has yet to be confirmed, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) suspects either the slivered onions or beef patties used in the sandwiches. Consequently, McDonald's has temporarily removed Quarter Pounders from the menu in approximately one-fifth of its locations. These precautions cover stores in Colorado, Kansas, Utah, and Wyoming, and parts of Idaho, Iowa, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, and Oklahoma.

According to the CDC, the implicated beef patties are exclusive to the Quarter Pounder, and the slivered onions are mainly used in this item. Other menu items with diced onions and different beef patties have not been implicated in the outbreak. Symptoms of an E. coli infection can include severe stomach cramps, diarrhea, fever, and vomiting, typically appearing three to four days after exposure.

The outbreak has already led to 10 hospitalizations and one severe case of hemolytic uremic syndrome in a child. The CDC highlighted that most of the illnesses were reported in Colorado and Nebraska, but the outbreak spans several other states, including Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Montana, Oregon, Utah, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.

In response to the outbreak, McDonald's USA President Joe Erlinger reassured customers about the safety of dining at McDonald's, stating that it is "very likely" any contaminated products have already been removed from the supply chain. Quarter Pounders will remain off the menu in affected states until the company is certain the contamination source has been eradicated.

While the CDC anticipates the number of reported cases to increase as their investigation continues, McDonald's remains committed to stringent food safety practices, including regular temperature checks and hourly handwashing for employees. The CDC advises individuals who have recently consumed a McDonald's Quarter Pounder and are experiencing severe E. coli symptoms, particularly high fever or bloody diarrhea, to seek medical attention promptly.