E. coli cases rise past 100 in McDonald's outbreak
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The E. coli outbreak linked to onions served in McDonald's Quarter Pounder hamburgers has now infected at least 104 people in 14 states, per a U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention update Wednesday.
The big picture: McDonald's reported sales took a hit over the outbreak, which the CDC said killed one person, hospitalized 34 people and left four with kidney problems.
- McDonald's resumed selling Quarter Pounders after health officials determined raw, slivered onions were the likely source of the outbreak and not its beef patties and the FDA said "there does not appear to be a continued food safety concern related to this outbreak" at the restaurants.
By the numbers: Colorado, home to the onions supplier, has reported the most cases (30) since the outbreak began in September, followed by Montana (19), Nebraska (13) and New Mexico (10).
- Multiple other cases were reported in Missouri and Utah (eight cases each), Wyoming (six), Kansas (three) and Michigan (two).
- Iowa, Oregon, North Carolina, Washington and Wisconsin each reported one case.
Yes, but: "The true number of sick people in this outbreak is likely much higher than the number reported, and the outbreak may not be limited to the states with known illnesses," the CDC noted.
- "This is because many people recover without medical care and are not tested for E. coli. In addition, recent illnesses may not yet be reported as it usually takes 3 to 4 weeks to determine if a sick person is part of an outbreak."
Go deeper: McDonald's E. coli outbreak adds to fast-food industry worries
