Mass poisoning in McDonald's: One person died, 10 hospitalized

The cases are linked to a hamburger from McDonald's fast food restaurant - "Quarter Pounder", officials of the Center for Disease Control and Infection (CDC) announced, Voice of America reported.

An elderly person died in Colorado, and a child was among those hospitalized.

Infections were reported between September 27 and October 11 in Colorado, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Oregon, Utah, Wisconsin and Wyoming.

Colorado recorded the most cases - 26, while Nebraska reported nine.

All the patients who were interviewed said that they ate at McDonald's, and most of them ate the aforementioned hamburger.

The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are investigating the source of the poisoning.

A preliminary investigation suggests that the sliced ​​onions used in the burgers could be the source of the contamination, while the USDA inspects the meat used to prepare the burgers.

McDonald's officials said some cases of illness were linked to onions from one of the suppliers.

The company temporarily recalled the Quarter Pounder in states with reported cases and halted distribution of onions.

The value of the company's shares decreased by nine percent after the CDC's announcement of the poisoning cases.

Escherichia coli can cause severe illness, including fever, stomach cramps, and bloody diarrhea, especially in children under five.