E. coli outbreak linked to McDonald's reaches North Carolina: What we know

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (WBTV) - A person from North Carolina is among those who got sick from an ongoing E. coli outbreak linked to McDonald’s, according to the CDC.

The total number of people across the U.S. sickened in the recent E. coli outbreak rose to 104, according to the CDC’s update from Wednesday, Nov. 13. One of those cases was reported in North Carolina -- the state’s first case connected with the outbreak.

A McDonald’s spokesperson says its restaurants in North Carolina are not impacted by the outbreak, however. The CDC counts where sickened people live, but not necessarily where they consumed the contaminated food -- meaning travel could be a factor.

Of the 104 cases of people sick with E. coli in the U.S., one person had died and 34 had required hospitalization. Four people developed HUS, which is a “serious condition that can cause kidney failure,” the FDA reported. The older adult in Colorado who died was not among those who developed HUS.

Investigators believe the outbreak stemmed from slivered onions serve on McDonald’s quarter-pound hamburgers. The CDC said Wednesday that the onions were recalled and were no longer being sold.

The CDC said it is not necessary to avoid eating onions, as it believes the “risk to the public is low.” The FDA said Wednesday that “there does not appear to be a continued food safety concern related to this outbreak at McDonald’s restaurants.”

The CDC launched its investigation on Oct. 22, and said it is likely that more people have gotten sick but have not reported it. Data shows that most of the E. coli cases associated with the McDonald’s onions were reported in the midwestern and western United States.

Colorado saw the most reports with 30 cases, while 19 were reported in Montana. Fourteen states have had at least one report.

Here’s where E. coli cases have been reported in connection with this outbreak, as of Nov. 13:

• Colorado: 30 cases
• Montana: 19
• Nebraska: 13
• New Mexico: 10
• Missouri: 8
• Utah: 8
• Wyoming: 6
• Kansas: 3
• Michigan: 2
• North Carolina: 1
• Iowa: 1
• Oregon: 1
• Washington: 1
• Wisconsin: 1

McDonald’s has been working with federal investigators to identify and mitigate the E. coli outbreak. The fast food giant stopped serving the potentially-contaminated ingredients in multiple states, and has since reintroduced slivered onions from a different supplier, officials said.

E. coli symptoms to watch for

E. coli is a bacteria that can cause infections that can lead to severe illness -- though not always.

“Many strains of E. coli cause mild infections,” the Cleveland Clinic says. “But some strains, like those that produce Shiga toxin, can cause serious illness, including kidney damage.”

The following symptoms are common with an E. coli infection, according to the CDC:

• Diarrhea
  • Diarrhea for more than three days that is not improving
  • Bloody diarrhea
• A fever higher than 102 degrees Fahrenheit
• So much vomiting that you cannot keep liquids down
• Signs of dehydration, including:
  • Not peeing much
  • Dry mouth and throat
  • Feeling dizzy when standing up

The following symptoms are common among people infected with a Shiga toxin-producing E. coli:

• Severe stomach cramps
• Diarrhea (often bloody)
• Vomiting

Symptoms most often appear about three to our days after the bacteria is ingested, according to the CDC. Most people are able to “recover without treatment after five to seven days,” though some people may develop serious problems and need to be hospitalized.

Learn more about E. coli from the CDC here.

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