An E. coli outbreak linked to McDonald’s Quarter Pounders has sickened 49 people killing one of them. At least 10 people have been hospitalized, one of them is being treated for hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a life-threatening complication of E. coli infections that causes kidney failure.
Health officials haven’t yet pinpointed the contaminated ingredient, onions and ground beef are the leading suspects.
McDonald’s told the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) that it has stopped using fresh slivered onions and quarter-pound beef patties in several states as these ingredients are used mainly for Quarter Pounder hamburgers and not other menu items.
The outbreak includes 10 states – Colorado, Iowa, Kansas, Nebraska, Missouri, Montana, Oregon, Utah, Wisconsin and Wyoming. The people sickened range in age from 13 to 88 years old.
Health officials have interviewed 18 people so far, all 18 said they ate at McDonald’s before they developed E. coli symptoms. Sixteen said they ate a beef hamburger and 12 specifically stated the Quarter Pounder.
E. coli and HUS Symptoms
Symptoms of an E. coli infection, which usually develop within one to three days of exposure, include abdominal cramps and diarrhea that can be bloody. About seven percent of E. coli patients develop (HUS). Over-the-counter anti-diarrheal medications and antibiotics should not be given to patients with E. coli infections as they can increase the chance of developing HUS. HUS symptoms usually set in about one week after initial E. coli symptoms and include:
- Pale skin
- Extreme fatigue
- Skin that easily bruises
- Decreased urine output
- Bloody diarrhea
Anyone with these symptoms should seek immediate medical care as HUS can be fatal.
Experienced E. coli Lawyers
The E. coli Team at Pritzker Hageman has represented clients in every major U.S. E. coli outbreak including this one.
In one recent case, our team of E. coli lawyers obtained one of the largest E. coli verdicts in U.S. history on behalf of a young girl who contracted an E. coli-HUS infection from animal contact at a pumpkin patch. As a result of her E. coli-HUS infection, our client suffered a life-threatening illness that caused severe kidney damage.
If you or your family member developed an E. coli infection from contaminated food and you would like a free consultation with our experienced E. coli lawyers, please contact us by calling 1-888-377-8900, sending a text to 612-261-0856, or by completing the form below. The consultation is free and there is no obligation.