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McDonald’s has issued a nationwide recall for its Quarter Pounder sandwiches after the products were linked to a multi-state outbreak of E. coli 0157:H7 which has seriously sickened dozens, including at least 10 hospitalizations and 1 death.
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If you or a loved one developed symptoms of food poisoning after eating at McDonald’s, you should contact our law firm today. You may be entitled to seek compensation for your harm by filing a lawsuit and our lawyers can help.

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Update: Teen Infected with E. Coli After Eating McDonald’s Quarter Pounder

October 30, 2024: A teenage girl from Grand Junction, Colorado, is the latest person to allegedly develop an E. coli infection after eating a McDonald’s Quarter Pounder sandwich, according to TODAY [7.].

Kamberlyn Bowler, a “previously healthy” 15-year-old, ate at McDonald’s several times in the days leading up to her illness, ordering her favorite Quarter Pounder with cheese and extra pickles, according to her mother, Brittany Randall. Kamberlyn began to develop symptoms of food poisoning including fever and stomach pain shortly thereafter.

“(My mom and I) both kind of thought I just had a fever, like just the flu or something — a stomach bug,” Kamberlyn told NBC News. “But then I started throwing up, having diarrhea, and it was bloody, so it scared me.”

Randall took Kamberlyn to the hospital, but tests didn’t reveal anything. After another week of her symptoms worsening, she was forced to go back to the emergency room.

At her 2nd visit, tests found that she was suffering from a severe E. coli infection. She was airlifted to Children’s Hospital Colorado in Aurora, where she is currently being treated for symptoms of kidney failure.

“It’s just been scary to see her body work against her,” Randall said. “It’s been hard. I’ve had to take off time from work, she got on the softball team for her high school, she had to take off the last couple games because she was sick.”

What’s the Problem?

To date, at least 75 E. coli infections linked to McDonald’s Quarter Pounder sandwiches have been reported in 10 U.S. states, including the death of an elderly person, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) [1.].

At least 10 people have been hospitalized in the outbreak, including a child who was diagnosed with hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a severe, potentially life-threatening complication that can arise from an E. coli infection.

Related Articles:

Where Have People Gotten Sick From The McDonald’s Quarter Pounder E. Coli Outbreak?

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) [2.], the Quarter Pounder E. coli outbreak has sickened people in the following states: Colorado (26), Nebraska (9), Utah (4), Wyoming (4), Oregon (1), Montana (1), Kansas (1), Missouri (1), Iowa (1), Wisconsin (1).

The CDC confirmed the outbreak, with reports of illnesses ranging from late September to early October. Health officials warn that the above numbers likely underrepresent the true scope of the outbreak. CDC notes that many affected individuals may recover without seeking medical attention or obtaining formal testing, suggesting the actual number of cases could be substantially higher.

This McDonald’s outbreak is the latest outbreak involving E. coli bacteria in recent months. The CDC identified an outbreak linked to organic walnuts in July that sickened 13 people [3.] and another outbreak in March linked to raw cheese that sickened 11 [4.].

Which Ingredient in McDonald’s Quarter Pounders Contained E. Coli?

Investigators are still attempting to determine what specific ingredient in the Quarter Pounder was tainted with E. coli, CDC said. As a precautionary measure, McDonald’s stores in Colorado, Kansas, Utah, Wyoming, and portions of Idaho, Iowa, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, and Oklahoma have temporarily stopped using Quarter Pounder slivered onions and beef patties.

The company said in a statement that the investigation’s initial findings indicate some of the E. coli infections may be associated with slivered onions from a single supplier serving 3 distribution centers.

Also Read: Beef Ravioli E. Coli Lawsuit

Understanding E. Coli: Beneficial Bacteria and Harmful Strains

Escherichia coli (E. coli) is a group of bacteria that naturally reside in the intestines of humans and most warm-blooded animals. In healthy individuals, E. coli plays an important role in maintaining the balance of intestinal flora by helping fend off harmful bacteria and even producing essential vitamins.

However, not all E. coli strains are harmless. There are hundreds of different types, each with distinct characteristics. One particularly dangerous strain, E. coli O157, is known for causing severe intestinal infections in humans.

This strain produces a powerful toxin that damages the intestinal lining, leading to symptoms such as bloody diarrhea. Often referred to as enterohemorrhagic E. coli, this strain is the most common type associated with serious illness in people.

E. Coli Symptoms

  • Severe abdominal cramps
  • Watery or bloody diarrhea
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Fatigue and weakness
  • Loss of appetite
  • Mild to severe dehydration
  • Fever (typically low-grade, but can occur in some cases)

Symptoms generally appear 3 to 4 days after exposure, though they can start anywhere from 1 to 10 days post-exposure.

McDonald’s President on Deadly E. Coli Outbreak Linked to Quarter Pounders: TODAY Video

What is Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome?

Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS) is a serious condition that typically results from an infection, most commonly caused by E. coli O157. HUS primarily affects the blood and kidneys and is characterized by:

  • Hemolysis: The destruction of red blood cells, leading to anemia.
  • Acute Kidney Failure: Due to damaged blood vessels in the kidneys, causing difficulty in filtering waste from the blood.
  • Low Platelet Count: Known as thrombocytopenia, which increases the risk of bleeding due to the lack of platelets that help in blood clotting.

HUS often develops after a bout of diarrhea, particularly following an E. coli infection, and is most common in children under the age of 5. It can cause long-term kidney problems or other complications if not treated promptly. Symptoms of HUS may include decreased urine output, fatigue, pale skin, easy bruising, and swelling in the body due to fluid retention.

FDA Recommendation

The FDA is advising consumers who have already eaten at McDonald’s and have subsequently developed symptoms of an E. coli infection to contact their healthcare provider to report their symptoms and receive care immediately.

E. Coli Statistics

  • E. coli O157 is responsible for an estimated 63,000 cases of hemorrhagic colitis in the United States each year.
  • A global review from 10 out of 14 World Health Organization subregions estimates approximately 2.8 million cases of E. coli annually.
  • Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS) caused by E. coli O157 can lead to severe systemic complications, including acute renal failure, particularly affecting children.
  • Over the past two decades, E. coli O157 has emerged as a significant cause of acute renal failure in children, though it also affects adults, though less frequently.
  • Outbreaks of E. coli O157 are often linked to contaminated food sources and typically occur in sporadic outbreaks, affecting both children and adults.

Source: World Health Organization (WHO) [5.]

Nebraska Woman Sues McDonald’s, Alleges E. Coli from Quarter Pounder Put Her in the E.R.

October 28, 2024 – Another lawsuit has been filed against McDonald’s in the wake of an ongoing E. coli outbreak linked to the restaurant’s Quarter Pounder sandwiches, according to NBC News [6.].

Plaintiff Clarissa DeBock claims she didn’t notice anything wrong with her meal while dining with her fiancé at their local McDonald’s in North Platte, Nebraska, in September. However, over the next week, she developed abdominal cramps, diarrhea and nausea, with her symptoms becoming so severe that on Sept. 25 she was forced to seek professional medical help at the hospital.

“I could just tell that something was off by the cramps, just because they were so bad,” DeBock said. “You get cramps with the flu and stuff, but it was different.”

Subsequent testing indicated that she was infected with E.coli O157:H7, the same strain implicated in the recent outbreak linked to McDonald’s Quarter Pounders.

“It’s just scary, I guess, just because you trust them as a fast food place. You’re putting your trust in them to provide safe food,” she said.

As a result of her illness, DeBock filed a lawsuit against McDonald’s on Thursday, seeking compensation for lost wages, medical bills, and physical and emotional suffering.

First Lawsuit Filed in Deadly McDonald’s E. Coli Outbreak

October 23, 2024 – McDonald’s is now facing legal action in response to the multi-state outbreak of E. coli food poisoning illnesses linked to the company’s famous Quarter Pounder sandwich. In a lawsuit filed today in the Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois, Plaintiff Eric Stelly of Greeley, Colorado, claims he fell seriously ill after eating at a local McDonald’s restaurant.

According to the lawsuit, Stelly purchased and ate food from the McDonald’s location at 2912 W. 10th St. in Greeley, Colorado, on October 4, 2024. By October 6, he developed symptoms consistent with E. coli infection. Two days later his condition had deteriorated sufficiently to require emergency medical attention at UCHealth in West Greeley, Colorado.

Subsequent medical testing confirmed the presence of E. coli O157:H7 in Stelly’s system. Following standard public health protocols, his case was reported to local health authorities, who investigated and confirmed his illness as part of the McDonald’s outbreak through their contact tracing efforts.

The legal complaint seeks damages exceeding $50,000 for each of the following claims: strict products liability, negligence and negligence per se, and breach of implied warranties.

Get a Free Lawsuit Evaluation With Our McDonald’s Food Poisoning Lawyers

Again, if you or a loved one developed symptoms of food poisoning after eating at McDonald’s, you should contact our lawyers at Schmidt & Clark, LLP immediately by using the form below or calling our food poisoning law firm toll-free 24 hrs/day by dialing (866) 588-0600 to schedule a free case review and legal options.

References:
1. https://www.fda.gov/food/outbreaks-foodborne-illness/outbreak-investigation-e-coli-o157h7-mcdonalds-quarter-pounders-october-2024
2. https://www.cdc.gov/ecoli/outbreaks/e-coli-O157.html
3. https://www.fda.gov/food/outbreaks-foodborne-illness/outbreak-investigation-e-coli-o157h7-bulk-organic-walnuts-april-2024
4. https://www.cdc.gov/ecoli/outbreaks/epi-raw-milk-cheese-2-24.html
5. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/e-coli
6. https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/woman-suing-mcdonalds-describes-e-coli-symptoms-rcna177140
7. https://www.today.com/health/news/teen-hospitalized-mcdonalds-quarter-pounder-e-coli-rcna177820

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