Raleigh, North Carolina – The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has identified over 100 cases of persons infected with the epidemic strain of E. coli linked to McDonald’s restaurants. The first of these cases has now been reported in North Carolina.
Epidemiologic and traceback studies indicate that fresh, slivered onions provided at McDonald’s were the most likely source of this incident. Affected onions served at McDonald’s stores have been recalled and are past their expiration date.
A total of 104 persons have been afflicted throughout 14 states. Colorado has the highest number of recorded cases (30). As of Wednesday, North Carolina had one reported case. The CDC has not revealed which McDonald’s the patient’s food was from.
Of the 98 participants with relevant information, 34 were hospitalized, and four had hemolytic uremic syndrome, a dangerous illness that can result in kidney failure. An elderly adult in Colorado has died, according to reports. This person is not among those who developed HUS.
According to the CDC, several affected individuals reported traveling to other states prior to becoming unwell. At least seven persons ate at McDonald’s while traveling.
The CDC believes that the true number of sick people in this outbreak is significantly higher than reported, and that the outbreak may extend beyond the states with confirmed cases. This is because many people heal without seeking medical attention and are not tested for E. coli.
Because these onions have been recalled and are past their shelf life, the CDC believes it is unnecessary to avoid eating onions or other onion-containing foods.