New Mexico Department of Health and CDC Investigating E. coli O157 Potentially Associated with McDonald’s

The New Mexico Department of Health (NMHealth) is investigating five cases of E. coli O157 potentially associated with McDonald’s. These cases are part of an outbreak that has sickened people in other states: https://www.cdc.gov/ecoli/outbreaks/e-coli-O157.html

All cases in New Mexico to date have been residents of Bernalillo County. There has been one hospitalization and no deaths to date. NMHealth is working diligently with other states, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), US Department of Agriculture Food Safety and Inspection Service (USDA-FSIS) and other organizations to determine the cause of illness.

The number of cases in a deadly E. coli outbreak linked to McDonald's Quarter Pounders has risen to 75, according to new federal data released Friday.

Cases have been reported in 13 states, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Most of the cases have been in Colorado, which has 26 reported cases, and Montana, which has 13 reported cases, according to the CDC.

Of the 61 people about whom the CDC has information, 22 have been hospitalized, and two developed hemolytic uremic syndrome, a serious, potentially fatal complication of E. coli infection that can cause kidney failure, according to the CDC.

One death has been reported in Colorado in connection with the outbreak. The person was a resident of Mesa County in the western part of the state, according to the Mesa County department of health.

“We’re taking this outbreak seriously and taking part in a multi-state investigation being led by the CDC,” said Patrick Allen, NMHealth Secretary.

Most ill people in this outbreak reported eating the Quarter Pounder hamburger at McDonald’s before becoming sick. It is not yet known which specific food ingredient is contaminated. McDonald’s has stopped using fresh slivered onions and quarter pound beef patties while the investigation is ongoing.

Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) are diarrhea-causing strains of a group of bacteria called Escherichia coli. E. coli O157 is the most well-known type of STEC. Illness caused by STEC often begins as diarrhea (which is sometimes bloody), nausea, vomiting, stomach cramps and fever. Most people recover on their own in 5-7 days. However, 5-10% of diagnosed cases can develop a very serious complication called hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). The risk of HUS increases if people take anti-diarrheal drugs (like Imodium) and might increase if they take antibiotics.

If you have any of the symptoms of STEC infection, your doctor can order tests to determine whether or not you are infected with STEC.

Medical providers should report suspect cases of STEC to the Department of Health’s Epidemiology and Response Division at 1-833-SWNURSE (1-833-796-8773), which is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

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