Federal health data shows where Americans have fallen ill from deadly bacteria after eating a McDonald’s burger.
The CDC announced Tuesday that 49 people in 10 states became ill with E coli after eating at McDonald’s, with most reporting eating the chain’s Quarter Pounder.
According to CDC data, most of the patients lived in Colorado, and 26 cases were reported, including an “older” Colorado man who died from the disease.
Nebraska recorded the second-most cases with nine, and Wyoming and Utah followed closely with four each.
Oregon, Montana, Kansas, Missouri, Iowa and Wisconsin each recorded one case.
The Quarter Pounder, purchased by more than 100,000 Americans each day, has been removed from stores in some of those states as a precaution.
Meanwhile, the two ingredients feared to be involved in the contamination – chopped onions and beef patties – are no longer being used while authorities investigate.
The map above shows where McDonald’s Quarter Pounders sick E coli patients were located. Colorado recorded the most cases with 26, including an elderly man who died from the disease. Nebraska was close behind with nine cases.
The CDC said 10 patients have been hospitalized, including a child who suffers life-threatening kidney damage due to hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a rare complication of E coli. It is not clear where the boy lives.
However, officials said the actual number of people affected by the outbreak is “probably much higher” than reported cases, as many patients recover without undergoing testing or treatment.
It generally takes three to four weeks to determine whether a sick patient is part of an outbreak, the agency said.
The first reported illness occurred on September 29 and the last reported illness occurred on October 11, according to the CDC.
The CDC said anyone who has severe E coli symptoms after eating a quarter pounder at McDonald’s should seek medical help and tell the provider what they ate.
Cesar Piña, McDonald’s North America supply chain director, said initial findings from the CDC investigation indicate the outbreak may be linked to onions sourced from a single supplier serving three distribution centers.
He said: “As a result, and in accordance with our safety protocols, all local restaurants have been ordered to remove this product from their supply and we have stopped the distribution of all sliced onions in the affected area.”
It added that McDonald’s was temporarily removing the Quarter Pounder from restaurants in affected areas, including Colorado, Kansas, Utah and Wyoming, as well as parts of Idaho, Iowa, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico and Oklahoma.
He added: ‘We take food safety very seriously and it is the right thing to do. “Affected restaurants will receive a stock recovery notice today and should contact their supply chain or distribution center manager with any questions.”
He assured shoppers that all other menu items were not affected and were available.
The CDC said all of the patients reported eating at McDonald’s before getting sick, and most had eaten the chain’s Quarter Pounder, shown here.
E coli are bacteria typically found in the intestines of animals such as cattle, goats, sheep, and deer.
While most are harmless, some can cause a range of gastrointestinal symptoms, such as stomach cramps, bloody diarrhea, and vomiting.
The bacteria can be found in food and water contaminated with feces from infected animals.
E coli infection sickens about 95,000 Americans a year and kills 17 to 20 percent.
Young children and older adults are at the highest risk of dying from E coli because they have naturally weakened immune systems.
Symptoms include diarrhea, fever above 102 F, vomiting, and signs of dehydration such as lack of urine or dry mouth, the CDC said.
Patients in the current outbreak were infected with the O157:H7 strain, the most common strain in humans that has been shown to cause serious intestinal infections.
The CDC said, “If you have severe symptoms of E. coli infection after eating a Quarter Pounder burger at McDonald’s, seek medical attention and tell your provider about what you ate.”