April 1, 2024, a McDonald’s on Route 66 in Azusa, California.
Robert Gauthier | Los Angeles Times | Getty Images
McDonald’s Shares fell in extended trading Tuesday after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said E. coli outbreak A virus linked to McDonald’s Quarter Pounder burgers has resulted in 10 hospitalizations and one death.
The agency said that from September 27 to October 11, 49 cases have been reported in 10 states so far, with the majority of cases occurring in Colorado and Nebraska. The CDC added that “most” patients reported eating a McDonald’s Quarter Pounder burger.
One of the patients had hemolytic uremic syndrome, a serious condition that can lead to kidney failure. A senior citizen has died in Colorado.
The CDC said the number of people affected by the outbreak “is likely to be much higher” than reported so far. The agency said that’s because many people recover without being tested for E. coli infections or receiving medical care.
McDonald’s has withdrawn the ingredient from the burger as investigators work to determine which ingredient may have been contaminated, the CDC said. Quarter Pounder burgers will be temporarily unavailable in some states, but the CDC did not specify which states.
McDonald’s shares fell about 9% in after-hours trading on Tuesday.
This map shows where the 49 people involved in this E. coli outbreak live.
Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
E. coli refers to a group of bacteria found in the intestines of nearly all humans and animals. But certain strains of bacteria can cause mild to severe illness if a person eats contaminated food or drinks contaminated water.
Symptoms including stomach cramps, diarrhea and vomiting usually appear three to four days after swallowing the bacteria, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Most people recover without treatment after five to seven days.
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