McDonald's forced to take drastic action after E. coli outbreak leaves one dead and 49 ill

A dangerous E. coli outbreak has left multiple people hospitalised and one dead, with an investigation now underway to determine the source of the issue.

E. coli – or Escherichia coli – is a bacterium commonly found in the gut of humans and animals.

While most strains are relatively harmless, some can cause serious illness, with the World Health Organization (WHO) saying the Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC), also known as Escherichia coli 0157, causes ‘severe foodborne illness’

“Symptoms of the diseases caused by STEC include abdominal cramps and diarrhoea that may in some cases progress to bloody diarrhoea (haemorrhagic colitis),” WHO warns.

“Fever and vomiting may also occur.”

The incubation period can range from 3 to 8 days, and while most patients recover within 10 days, some patients – including young children and the elderly – may face life-threatening disease such as kidney failure.

Certain strains of E. coli can cause severe illness (THOM LEACH/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY/Getty Images)

A current outbreak has forced McDonald’s stores in the US to remove quarter pounders and slivered onions from the menu amid fears that the ingredients may be linked.

So far, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has confirmed 49 cases of illnesses across several states, 10 of which have resulted in people being hospitalised.

One person has also tragically died.

In a statement earlier this week, Cesar Piña, McDonald’s North America Chief Supply Chain Officer said that serving customers ‘safely’ was the company’s ‘top priority’.

“It is why we are taking swift and decisive action following an E. Coli outbreak in certain states,” he explained.

“The initial findings from the investigation indicate that a subset of illnesses may be linked to slivered onions used in the Quarter Pounder and sourced by a single supplier that serves three distribution centers.

“As a result, and in line with our safety protocols, all local restaurants have been instructed to remove this product from their supply and we have paused the distribution of all slivered onions in the impacted area.”

An E coli outbreak in the US has left one dead and 49 ill (Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images)

Piña added: “Out of an abundance of caution, we are also temporarily removing the Quarter Pounder from restaurants in the impacted area, including Colorado, Kansas, Utah and Wyoming, as well as portions of Idaho, Iowa, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, and Oklahoma.

“We take food safety extremely seriously and it’s the right thing to do. Impacted restaurants are receiving a stock recovery notice today and should reach out to their field supply chain manager or distribution center with any questions.

“We are working in close partnership with our suppliers to replenish supply for the Quarter Pounder in the coming weeks (timing will vary by local market). In the meantime, all other menu items, including other beef products (including the Cheeseburger, Hamburger, Big Mac, McDouble and the Double Cheeseburger) are unaffected and available. We will continue to work with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and are committed to providing timely updates as we restore our full menu.”