E. coli outbreak at McDonald’s affects four people in Gunnison

Cases spread across 13 different states 

By Katherine Nettles

An E. coli outbreak at McDonald’s locations from 13 different states over the past month has hit Colorado the heaviest and patrons of the Gunnison location have not been spared. Gunnison County Health and Human Services and Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment (CDPHE) are investigating a total of four cases based in Gunnison County. There have been at least 16 cases in Colorado out of 75 cases as of October 24. There have been 22 hospitalizations associated with the outbreak and one death, but neither hospitalizations nor the fatality occurred in Gunnison County.

Investigators have identified the two most likely culprits as either slivered yellow onions or quarter pound beef patties, and illnesses occurred between September 27 and October 10, with reports coming in through October 24.  

Among those who fell ill, 22 have been hospitalized, and two people developed hemolytic uremic syndrome, which can cause kidney failure. One death of an older adult has also been reported in Colorado. All those interviewed reported eating at McDonald’s, and all but three reported eating a beef hamburger.

McDonald’s stores in Colorado, Kansas, Utah, Wyoming and portions of Idaho, Iowa, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico and Oklahoma have temporarily stopped using Quarter Pounder slivered onions and beef patties. Slivered onion producer Taylor Farms has initiated a voluntary recall of its onions, and CDPHE says they are tracking all cases and contacting the customers impacted.  

The true number of people involved in this outbreak is likely much higher than the number reported, says CDPHE, because many people recover without medical care and are not tested for E. coli. Additionally, it usually takes three to four weeks to determine if a sick person is part of an outbreak.

According to Gunnison public health information officer Nicole Stone, the Gunnison health and human services office has been receiving calls from concerned community members. E. coli symptoms can include severe stomach cramps, diarrhea (often bloody), and usually start three to four days after swallowing the bacteria. Most people recover without treatment within five to seven days, but Stone advises anyone with symptoms to contact a doctor.

She confirmed occurrences like this are few and far between.

“This is rare in Gunnison County, and we have not seen this type of E. coli outbreak in the past,” said Stone.