As of Wednesday, Oct. 30, 90 people across 13 states, including New Mexico, have gotten sick with E. coli after eating food containing onions from McDonald’s, according to The Associated Press.
The New Mexico Department of Health released a public health alert declaring the intent to investigate the situation after identifying five cases, including one hospitalization, in Bernalillo County.
There are no current additional suspected cases in the state, New Mexico Department of Health Public Information Officer David Morgan wrote in an email to the Daily Lobo.
“There is a possibility more cases may emerge, but chances are low,” Morgan wrote.
Nationally, at least 27 people have been hospitalized, with one death tied to the outbreak, according to PBS.
Onions on McDonald's Quarter Pounder hamburgers are likely the source of the outbreak, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The onions have been recalled from restaurants.
E. coli can spread rapidly in agricultural settings, according to Michelle Bardack, a primary care physician at UNM Student Health and Counseling.
“Some strains cause foodborne illnesses,” Bardack wrote in a statement to the Daily Lobo. “There can be serious complications such as kidney failure.”
UNM freshman Brandon Paiz said he finds the outbreak concerning.
“It’s crazy what's going on. Every time I go to McDonald’s, I usually get the quarter pounder,” Paiz said.
On Oct. 30, McDonald’s Corporate wrote in a statement that there have been no reported illnesses since it took action to remove slivered onions.
Onions from an E. coli-contaminated facility were distributed to approximately 900 McDonald's restaurants, according to the statement.
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UNM student Lauren To said the growing concern about E. coli may lead to students no longer going to McDonald’s.
“I eat out at McDonald’s about once a month, but now I just won’t go there anymore,” To said.
Rodney Prunty is the sports editor for the Daily Lobo. He can be contacted at sports@dailylobo.com or on X @rprunty05
