SEATTLE — One person from Washington state has been linked to the McDonald's E. coli outbreak after likely being exposed at a restaurant in Colorado.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) confirmed the Washington case Friday, bringing the total number of cases in the outbreak to 75. The Washington state Department of Health said there are no cases in the outbreak linked to a McDonald's restaurant in Washington state.
Thirteen states have reported cases linked to McDonald’s quarter pounder hamburgers. Twenty-two people have been hospitalized, including one person in Colorado who died.
The CDC did not specify the age or gender of the person who got sick.
People can get infected with Shiga toxin-producing E. coli after swallowing contaminated food or water or contact with animals, according to the CDC.
Of the 42 people interviewed by health officials, all of them reported eating at McDonald’s before getting sick, and 86% said they ate a quarter pounder. The CDC hasn’t confirmed the specific ingredient as the source of the E. coli, but investigators have focused on fresh slivered onions and beef patties.
Taylor Farms, which supplied the onions, initiated a recall. Stores were contacted and asked to remove products.
Illnesses started between Sept. 27 to Oct. 10. It usually takes three to four weeks to determine if a sick person is connected to the outbreak, so the CDC warned more cases could emerge.
However, the CDC believes the continued risk to the public is very low because of the actions taken by Taylor Farms and McDonald’s.
E. coli symptoms include severe stomach cramps, diarrhea and vomiting, according to the CDC. Symptoms usually begin three to four days after swallowing the bacteria.
If you have E. coli symptoms, the CDC urges people to seek health care and tell the provider what you ate.