About 50 people have been reported to have been infected in one Escherichia coli outbreak involving McDonald's Quarter Pounder sandwiches.
Here's what you need to know:
Where have the outbreaks occurred?
The outbreak began around September 27 and no infections have been reported in California so far. But in addition to Nebraska and Colorado, infections have been confirmed in Oregon, Montana, Wyoming, Utah, Kansas, Missouri, Iowa and Wisconsin.
So far, about 50 people have been reported infected, 27 of them in Nebraska and nine in Colorado, according to the CDC.
Officials estimate that the actual number of infected people is probably much higher, because it typically takes three to four weeks to determine whether a sick person is part of an outbreak, and also because many people recover without being tested. Escherichia coli.
What is McDonald's doing?
In response, the fast food chain has proactively removed the onions and patties used for the burgers from stores in affected states, according to the CDC. As a result, Quarter Pounder burgers will be temporarily unavailable in some states.
How is E. coli spread?
Most cases of Escherichia coli Pollution is caused by poor sanitation practices, such as employees not washing their hands, crops being grown too close to farms where animals live and contaminating soil and runoff with feces, and companies not processing and Analyze foods properly, according to Teresa Murray. , director of consumer monitoring at the Public Interest Research Group.
One of the last great Escherichia coli The outbreaks took place in 2015, when contaminated food served at Chipotle Mexican Grill restaurants was linked to about 60 cases nationwide, including several in California.
What are the signs of illness?
The CDC offered these tips:
Call your healthcare provider if you have severe E. coli symptoms:
- Diarrhea and fever greater than 102 degrees.
- Diarrhea for more than three days that does not improve.
- bloody diarrhea
- So much vomiting that you can't keep liquids down.
- Signs of dehydration, such as:
- Decreased urination
- Dry mouth and throat
- Feeling dizzy when standing up
Symptoms of E. coli
- Most people infected with Shiga-producing toxins Escherichia coli You experience severe stomach cramps, diarrhea (often bloody), and vomiting.
- Symptoms usually begin three or four days after ingesting the bacteria.
- Most people recover without treatment after five to seven days.
- Some people may develop serious kidney problems (hemolytic uremic syndrome, also called HUS) and may need to be hospitalized.
