The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Wednesday said slivered onions served at various McDonald’s locations were the likely source of a multi-state E. coli outbreak linked to the restaurant chain, as the number of cases and hospitalizations linked to the outbreak continued to grow.
The CDC said the slivered onions were the likely source of the McDonald’s E. coli outbreak.
AP Photo/Richard Drew
Key Facts
According to the CDC, epidemiologic data and trace back information showed that “fresh, slivered onions” served at the restaurants were the likely source of illness.
The agency also noted that the number of reported illnesses had risen from 75 to 90, while the number of hospitalizations had climbed from 22 to 27.
No new severe cases or deaths were reported, but an earlier update from the US Food and Drug Administration mentioned two people had developed hemolytic uremic syndrome—a serious condition that can lead to kidney failure—and one older adult from Colorado had died.
In an update on Wednesday, the FDA said all 62 infected individuals it interviewed had eaten at McDonald’s, with 83% saying they consumed an item “containing fresh, slivered onions” while 79% said they ate a menu item with “fresh quarter pound beef patties.”
According to the agency, all 90 cases were reported between September 27 and October 16.
McDonald’s acknowledged the CDC’s statement on slivered onions being the likely source of the outbreak, and said there had been “no reported illnesses since McDonald’s took action to remove slivered onions.”
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Big Number
13. That is the number of states where the E. coli cases linked to the outbreak have been reported. Colorado and Montana are the states with the most number of cases.