More patients identified in outbreak traced to McDonald’s; Taylor Farms recalls onions

More people have been confirmed as infected with E. coli in an outbreak traced to McDonald’s Quarter Pounder hamburgers.

There are now 75 patients, up from 49 earlier this week. One of the patients has died, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Thirteen states now have patients, up from 10 previously reported. Of 61 patients with information available, 22 have been hospitalized. Two patients have developed hemolytic uremic syndrome, a serious condition that can cause kidney failure.

Of the 42 patients interviewed, all reported becoming sick after eating at McDonald’s. The most recent person to become ill had illness onset on Oct. 10.

The Food and Drug Administration is investigating the outbreak and has determined that slivered onions are the most likely source of the E. coli O157:H7 that is making people sick.

Taylor Farms, the supplier of fresh onions to McDonald’s, has initiated a recall of its yellow onions. The onions were distributed by US Foods, the country’s largest supplier of food and supplies to food service operators and were also sent to other food service customers. 

McDonald’s has stopped serving Quarter Pounder sandwiches in the outbreak states. It has also stopped using slivered onions, according to company officials.

The number of sick people is likely to increase because for every one patient identified in an E. coli outbreak there are 26 who go undiagnosed. This is because some people do not seek medical attention and others are not specifically tested for E. coli.

Patients in this outbreak live in Colorado, Kansas, Utah, Wyoming, Idaho, Iowa, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Michigan, Wisconsin, Washington and Oregon, according to a map from the CDC. 

About E. coli infections
Anyone who has eaten at McDonald’s and developed symptoms of E. coli infection should seek medical attention and tell their doctor about their possible exposure to the bacteria. Specific tests are required to diagnose the infections, which can mimic other illnesses.

The symptoms of E. coli infections vary for each person but often include severe stomach cramps and diarrhea, which is often bloody. Some patients may also have a fever. Most patients recover within five to seven days. Others can develop severe or life-threatening symptoms and complications, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

About 5 to 10 percent of those diagnosed with E. coli infections develop a potentially life-threatening kidney failure complication, known as a hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). Symptoms of HUS include fever, abdominal pain, feeling very tired, decreased frequency of urination, small unexplained bruises or bleeding, and pallor. 

Many people with HUS recover within a few weeks, but some suffer permanent injuries or death. This condition can occur among people of any age but is most common in children younger than five years old because of their immature immune systems, older adults because of deteriorating immune systems, and people with compromised immune systems such as cancer patients. 

People who experience HUS symptoms should immediately seek emergency medical care. People with HUS will likely be hospitalized because the condition can cause other serious and ongoing problems such as hypertension, chronic kidney disease, brain damage, and neurologic problems.

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