McDonald’s outbreak update: Map, timeline, locations, and list of regions affected by the E. Coli

This story has been updated with the latest CDC data on the outbreak as of October 25, 2024.

Things seem to be taking a turn for the worse at McDonald’s, after the fast-food chain became the epicenter of an outbreak full of E. coli linked to Quarter Pounders.

So far, one person has died and 22 have been hospitalized after 75 reported cases of E. coli in customers eating at McDonald’s restaurants in 13 states across the US, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Although it is not clear which food ingredient was contaminated, McDonald’s has stopped using charred onions and quarter-pound beef patties in several states while an investigation is underway to determine what caused the illness, according to the CDC. (Chopped onions and other types of beef used at McDonald’s did not contribute to the outbreak.)

Quarter Pounder hamburgers will temporarily be unavailable in some states while McDonald’s makes some supply changes.

Which counties were affected by the McDonald’s E. coli outbreak?

As of Friday, the CDC said there are 13 states where people have gotten sick:

Oregon, Kansas, Utah, Wyoming, Iowa, Missouri, Michigan, New Mexico, Washington, and Wisconsin, with multiple outbreaks in Colorado, Nebraska, and Montana.

Here’s a map showing where the 75 people affected by the outbreak were when states temporarily stopped selling Quarter Pounder hamburgers in parts of the state or region.

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It’s a time when people get sick

This chart from the CDC shows that people in this outbreak of E. coli, with the highest number of people getting sick on October 7. The CDC found that the illnesses started on September 27, and documented them until October 11.

Another tricky thing about E. coli that recent infections may go unreported because it usually takes three to four weeks to determine whether a person is sick as part of an outbreak.

The actual number of people sickened in this outbreak may be much higher than the number reported, and the outbreak may not be limited to states with known infections. This is partly because many people recover without medical help and are not tested for E. coli.

What should I do if I eat at McDonald’s?

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommends that consumers who have eaten at McDonald’s and have symptoms of E. coli should contact their healthcare provider immediately to report their symptoms and get care.

What are the symptoms of E. coli?

Symptoms depend on the type of E. coli that causes infection. Most people with E. coli have diarrhea that can be bloody or watery, or stomach cramps that can be severe. Some people are vomiting or have a low-grade fever.

The CDC recommends that you call your doctor if you have these symptoms:

• Diarrhea or vomiting lasting more than 2 days
• Bloody stools or urine
• Fever over 102 degrees Fahrenheit
• Symptoms of dehydration
• Symptoms of hemolytic uremic syndrome, which can lead to kidney failure or death