The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced that the number of cases linked to Escherichia coli (E. coli) bacteria detected in McDonald’s “Quarter Pounder” burgers has increased from 49 to 75, and 22 people have been hospitalized. It was added that the bacteria was found in 13 states: Colorado, Kansas, Utah, Wyoming, Iowa, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, Oregon, Wisconsin, Washington and Michigan.
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) previously reported that 49 people were affected by the bacteria, and 1 died. It was also stated that the food substance causing the cases has not yet been definitively identified and that experts suspect chopped onions and beef patties.
Some subspecies of E. coli bacteria, which can normally be found in intestines, such as “Enterohaemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC)”, can cause life-threatening diseases.