In the United States, McDonald’s burgers have made many people ill due to an E. Coli bacteria outbreak. The outbreak, spreading across 13 states, has resulted in one fatality and a total of 75 reported cases of illness caused by the E. Coli bacteria. The toll is increasing in a food scandal involving the international hamburger chain McDonald’s.
The number of cases linked to the E.coli bacteria found in McDonald’s “Quarter Pounder” hamburgers has risen from 49 to 75, with 22 individuals being hospitalized.
The bacteria has been detected in 13 states, including Colorado, Kansas, Utah, Wyoming, Iowa, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, Oregon, Wisconsin, Washington, and Michigan. The statement mentioned that the specific food item causing the cases has not been definitively identified yet, with experts suspecting chopped onions and ground beef.
Officials reminded that symptoms typically appear 3-4 days after exposure to the bacteria, with most people recovering within a week. They cautioned individuals showing signs like a high fever above 38.8 degrees, diarrhea lasting more than three days, vomiting, dry mouth and throat, and dizziness upon standing to seek medical assistance. Although E.coli bacteria are normally found in the intestinal environment of humans and animals, certain strains like “Enterohaemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC)” can lead to life-threatening illnesses.
It is known that E.coli bacteria, most commonly transmitted via food, are often found in undercooked or raw meats, dairy products, inadequately washed fruits, and vegetables. McDonald’s stated that sliced onions were supplied by a single vendor and distributed to specific distribution centers.
The company announced the temporary removal of this product from the menu and its withdrawal from supply in some states.
McDonald’s emphasized their dedication to food safety, stating that this decision was a necessary step.