A recent food poisoning outbreak tied to McDonald’s Quarter Pounders has been linked to a common type of E. coli bacteria that can cause serious illness and even death. The outbreak has affected around 50 people, with ages ranging from 13 to 88, and has resulted in one death. Particularly vulnerable to this dangerous germ are young children, older individuals, and those with weakened immune systems. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has identified raw slivered onions served on Quarter Pounders as a likely source of the outbreak.
E. coli is a type of bacteria that can be found in various environments, including water, food, and in the intestines of both people and animals. While many types of E. coli are harmless, some can cause serious illnesses. The specific strain involved in the McDonald’s outbreak is E. coli O157:H7, which produces a toxin that can lead to dangerous diarrhea, kidney failure, and other severe complications. Health officials have been investigating the outbreak and have initially focused on fresh slivered onions and beef patties as possible sources. However, the beef patties are considered an unlikely source due to federal meat testing requirements and McDonald’s cooking protocols.
Symptoms of E. coli poisoning typically manifest within a day or two of consuming contaminated food and can include fever, vomiting, diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, and signs of dehydration such as increased thirst and dizziness. In severe cases, especially in children under the age of 5, E. coli poisoning can lead to serious kidney injury, requiring immediate medical attention. Annually, E. coli infections cause around 74,000 cases in the U.S., resulting in over 2,000 hospitalizations and 61 deaths. While there has been a decrease in E. coli infections in recent years, cases of severe kidney injury remain stable.
E. coli poisoning is just one cause of food poisoning, which affects millions of people in the U.S. each year. Other common culprits include norovirus, which causes millions of cases of food poisoning annually, and salmonella bacteria, which affects around 1.3 million people. Listeria, another bacteria, causes fewer illnesses but is responsible for more deaths, with about 260 fatalities each year. It is important for consumers to be aware of the risks of food poisoning and take necessary precautions to prevent illness. This story highlights the importance of food safety and the potential dangers of consuming contaminated food.
