The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has completed its investigation into a fatal E. coli epidemic connected to fresh, slivered onions sold at McDonald’s, which resulted in one fatality and 104 illnesses in 14 states.
The outbreak, which lasted from September 12 to October 21, 2024, impacted people aged 1 to 88, with a median age of 28.
According to the CDC, 60% of those infected were men, and 34 required hospitalization. Four people got hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a serious illness that can result in renal failure. In Colorado, there was only one reported fatality, an older adult.
Public health officials traced the source to onions used in McDonald’s menu items. Of the 81 people interviewed, 99% acknowledged dining at McDonald’s before falling ill, and 84% particularly remembered eating dishes containing fresh onions.
The outbreak may have been larger than previously reported, as many people recover without medical attention and are not tested for E. coli. The CDC employed whole genome sequencing to confirm that the bacterium samples from sick individuals were closely related.
The CDC recommends the public to follow food safety recommendations to avoid E. coli infections, which can result in severe stomach cramps, diarrhea, and vomiting.
