### E. Coli Outbreak Linked to McDonald's Quarter Pounders Results in One Death

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced a food safety alert on Tuesday tied to an E. coli outbreak that has been associated with McDonald's Quarter Pounder burgers. The outbreak has affected at least 49 individuals across 10 states and resulted in the death of one elderly person.

Among those who fell ill, ten have required hospitalization. Alarmingly, one child developed hemolytic uremic syndrome, a severe complication arising from the E. coli infection. The states most impacted by the outbreak are Colorado and Nebraska, with the majority of the afflicted reporting that they had consumed McDonald's Quarter Pounder sandwiches.

The CDC has described the investigation as "fast-moving," identifying slivered onions as a probable source of contamination. These onions, along with quarter-pound beef patties, have been withdrawn from sale in several states while the investigation is ongoing.

McDonald's issued a statement confirming that the preliminary findings linked the contamination to onions from a single supplier. The affected onions were distributed to three distribution centers. In response, McDonald's is working closely with its suppliers to restock the Quarter Pounder supply within the next few weeks, although availability will vary by region. According to McDonald's, other menu items such as the Cheeseburger, Hamburger, Big Mac, McDouble, and Double Cheeseburger are not affected and remain available.

As part of the safety measures, McDonald's has pulled slivered onions and quarter-pound patties from locations in Colorado, Kansas, Utah, Wyoming, and parts of Idaho, Iowa, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, and Oklahoma. However, the CDC cautions that the outbreak could extend beyond these states.

Individuals infected with the E. coli bacteria may experience severe stomach cramps, diarrhea, fever, and vomiting, with symptoms usually appearing three to four days after exposure. While most people recover within a week, some can suffer serious kidney problems necessitating hospitalization. The CDC advises anyone who becomes ill after eating a McDonald's Quarter Pounder to seek medical care and inform the provider about their recent meal.

McDonald's reaffirmed its commitment to customer safety in a statement, emphasizing that it will continue to cooperate with the CDC throughout the investigation. Meanwhile, the company's stock price saw a significant drop in after-hours trading following news of the outbreak.