Nine cases in McDonald’s E. coli outbreak reported in Nebraska

OMAHA, Neb. (WOWT) – Nine of the Nebraska cases of E. coli linked to McDonald’s Quarter Pounders were reported in three health districts in the eastern part of the state.

The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services said in an update Tuesday that the nine cases of E. coli had been tracked down to the following public health regions:

• Lincoln-Lancaster County
• Douglas County
• Sarpy-Cass

A total of 49 cases — about half of them, including one fatality, in Colorado — have been confirmed in 10 states. Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, and Wisconsin were among states reporting a single case.

The Douglas County Health Department confirmed Tuesday that three adult cases, in people ages 22 to 75, were reported in the Omaha-metro — but said there are likely more cases that haven’t been reported yet.

“We urge the public to contact their healthcare provider if they are experiencing symptoms and are concerned about a potential exposure,” Justin Frederick, deputy director of the Douglas County Health Department, said in a news release.

Local and state health officials have stated that the CDC is not advising against eating at McDonald’s, noting that potentially contaminated items have been removed.

McDonald’s said in a statement Tuesday afternoon that the illnesses had been traced to slivered onions from a single source that supplies three distribution centers. The company has also taken the Quarter Pounder off the menu — for now — in impacted areas.

“All other menu items, including other beef products (including the Cheeseburger, Hamburger, Big Mac, McDouble and the Double Cheeseburger) are unaffected and available,” according to the statement.

IF YOU FEEL SICK

If you become ill with diarrhea or vomiting and a fever higher than 102°F after eating at McDonald’s, you should contact your primary care provider immediately. For those without a primary care provider, please call your Local Health Department, or the Nebraska DHHS Office of Epidemiology at 402-471-2937.

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Gray Media contributed to this report.

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