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75 people infected in 13 states

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75 people infected in 13 states

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Dozens of people sickened in 13 states After eating McDonald’s Quarter Pounders contaminated with E. coli.

At least 75 people in Colorado have become ill from bacterial infections and one person has died from the O157:H7 strain of E. coli. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Friday. McDonald’s attributed the illnesses to slivers of onions, and the Food and Drug Administration has indicated that onions may have been the source of the outbreak.

What happens in the investigation?

Federal regulators are determining whether slivered onions or beef patties in Quarter Pounder burgers caused the outbreak, the CDC said.

Based on available information on 61 of the 75 people who became ill, the CDC said 22 were hospitalized on Friday and two developed a serious condition caused by bacteria that could cause kidney failure. These cases began to appear in late September and continued until October 10.

Of the 42 people interviewed by authorities, all said they had eaten at McDonald’s, and 39 said they had eaten a beef burger. Of the 36 people who remembered which beef burger they ate, 31 said they ate the Quarter Pounder.

Earlier this week, McDonald’s recalled its Quarter Pounders and removed onions from menus in many states. Taylor Farms, which supplies sliver onions to affected McDonald’s locations, has begun a recall of yellow onions, the CDC said.

Taylor Farms said in a statement that it was “preemptively” recalling yellow onions shipped from its Colorado facility to select foodservice customers.

“We continue to work with the CDC and FDA investigating the source of the outbreak,” the statement said. “All Taylor Farms products on the market today are safe to consume.”

E. coli outbreaks occasionally occur in the United States, and the bacteria ends up in the U.S. food supply, including frozen foods and fresh vegetables. University of California, Davis, Health.

Other important facts you need to know about E. coli include:

What is E. coli?

Escherichia coli is a bacteria that is found in food and water and in the intestines of humans and animals, a healthy part of the intestinal tract. CDC said.

Different strains of E. coli trigger different bodily responses. Some types of bacteria can make people sick.

How are people infected with E. coli?

The CDC said people can become infected through contaminated food or water. They can also become ill after contact with animals, animal feces, the animals’ living environment, or the feces of a person infected with E. coli.

The CDC said Shiga toxin infection is often acquired through contaminated food, especially leafy greens and ground meat, as well as unsafe water. Contact with infected animals, especially cattle, and the feces of an infected person are also possible sources.

People in high-income countries are more likely to get sick from bacteria. Cleveland Clinic said There are approximately 265,000 Shiga toxin-producing E. coli infections in the United States each year, making it the most common cause of outbreaks and infections.

What are the typical symptoms after eating E. coli?

in it Update on McDonald’s casesMost people infected with Shiga toxin-producing forms of E. coli, like these people, experience severe stomach cramps, often bloody diarrhea and vomiting, the CDC said. In some cases, people may develop serious kidney problems that require hospitalization.

Symptoms usually begin three to four days after consuming food or drinks containing the bacteria.

How to avoid contact with E. coli?

The FDA said people who ate at McDonald’s and have symptoms should contact their healthcare provider.

In general, the FDA says you can prevent foodborne illness by taking hygiene precautions at home, washing your hands with warm water and soap before and after handling raw foods, or after touching contaminated items such as baby diapers or cleaning surfaces.

The federal agency also recommends washing items that come into contact with raw food, such as the inside of a refrigerator or cutting board. Using a clean cloth or paper towel, you can disinfect them with one tablespoon of chlorine bleach per gallon of hot water and dry surfaces.

People should immediately wipe up spills in the refrigerator. People with pets should take precautions to prevent cross-contamination when preparing their pet’s food and wash their hands after touching the animals.

People should also cook meat thoroughly to 160 degrees and avoid raw milk or other unpasteurized products.

(This story has been updated to add new information.)

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