McDonald's E.coli: One dead and several hospitalised after outbreak linked to Quarter Pounders; Donald Trump linked as 'responsible' after campaign appearance

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One person has died and several have been hospitalised after an outbreak of E. coli linked to McDonald's Quarter Pounder burgers.

Infections were reported between 27 September and 11 October across 10 US states including Colorado, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Oregon, Utah, Wisconsin and Wyoming. Colorado has 27 of the 49 reported cases - including an older person who died and one child who has severe kidney complications, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said.

The public health agency said the number of illnesses is likely much higher and recent cases may not have been reported yet, as it usually takes three to four weeks to determine if a sick person is part of an outbreak. It is unknown what ingredient is making people sick, but everyone interviewed in connection with the outbreak reported eating at McDonald's before falling ill - and most mentioned consuming the popular Quarter Pounder.

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It comes after Donald Trump made a campaign appearance manning the fry cooker at a Pennsylvania Mickey D's on Sunday (20 October). Users on social media have been quick to blame Trump, pictured wearing no gloves, for causing the E.coli outbreak.

One user posted on X, formerly Twitter: “So weird that McDonalds has an Ecoli outbreak the day after Trump was there.” Another user said: “Many people are saying Trump is directly responsible. Not me, other people. I'm just asking questions. But many people are saying it. Someone should look into it strongly.”

Other users joked at how the timing “is just so perfect”. However, fans of Trump are suggesting the outbreak was a deliberate attempt to sabotage his campaign appearance. One user wrote on X: “Give me a break! The timing on this is so ridiculously obvious!”.

McDonald's is working with public health officials to determine the contaminated ingredient, with investigators believed to be focusing on onions and beef. The fast food restaurant chain told the CDC it had removed slivered onions and beef patties used for Quarter Pounders from stores in the affected states. The burgers may be temporarily unavailable in those areas.

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