Jakarta –
In addition, 90 people fell ill after consuming McDonald’s burgers. There were 27 of them who ended up undergoing intensive care in hospital, and one death was even reported in an elderly person in Colorado, United States.
The United States Centers for Disease Prevention and Control (CDC) emphasizes that the source of bacterial contamination has so far been found in the raw onions used in McDonald’s Quarter Pounders menu. These food ingredients were then temporarily withdrawn from the menu, until the E coli bacteria outbreak was completely contained.
A 15 year old girl from Grand Junction, Colorado, was also a ‘victim’. Kamberlyn Bowler is currently being treated in hospital due to kidney failure.
ADVERTISEMENT
SCROLL TO CONTINUE WITH CONTENT
The teenager recalled the symptoms that led to him ending up hospitalized. In fact, previously, Kimberlyn was in very good health, to the point of ordering her favorite Quarter Pounder with extra cheese and pickles.
The first symptoms that appeared were fever and stomach ache, these complaints did not improve until one month later.
“(My mom and I) thought I just had a fever, like the flu or something, with a stomach ache,” Kamberlyn told NBC News. “But then I started vomiting and having diarrhea and bleeding, so that scared me.”
Randall took his daughter to the emergency room, but tests at that time didn’t reveal any problems. Kamberlyn’s condition then continued to worsen.
Nearly a week later, Kamberlyn said she needed to go back to the doctor. “It scared me. I was scared,” he recalled.
At the second doctor’s visit, test results showed Kamberlyn was experiencing kidney failure due to a severe E. coli infection. He was flown to Children’s Hospital Colorado in Aurora on October 18 and is currently undergoing intensive care.
“It was scary watching her body work against her,” said Randall, Kamberlyn’s mother.
“It was hard. I had to take time off from work, he was on the softball team for his middle school, he had to sit out the last few games because he was sick.”
The teenager was diagnosed with hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) related to enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli, a rare complication of E coli infection caused by bacteria attacking the kidneys.
Kamberlyn has undergone several rounds of dialysis, and although her kidneys may be functional again, the extent of lasting damage remains unknown, according to Randall.
“We’re not really sure what the conditions will be like in the future,” he said. “He may have to undergo dialysis again. We hope it’s the last, but we also don’t know.”
“He went from being perfectly healthy and having no problems at all to possibly having kidney damage throughout his life,” Randall said.
On October 27, McDonald’s President Joe Erlinger apologized to customers in a video, and promised to regain customers’ trust.
“On behalf of the McDonald’s system, I want you to hear from me: We are sorry,” he said.
“To the customers affected, I commit that, based on our values, we will make things right.”
(naf/kna)
Title: When Your Quarter Pounder Turns Into a Quarter Pounder of Trouble: A Deep Dive into the McDonald’s E. Coli Outbreak
Jakarta – You know, it’s hard to find anything funnier than the fact that a burger can send you to hospital. But here we are, folks! Ninety people — yes, ninety — thought they were just ordering a classic McDonald’s Quarter Pounder, only to discover it was more like a Quarter Pounder of chaos! That’s right; 27 of these unlucky souls went into intensive care, and to add a cherry on top of this tragic sundae, one poor elderly person did not make it out of Colorado alive.
Now, if you’re thinking, “What’s the culprit behind this beefy tragedy?” look no further than the raw onions! Those innocent-looking, ring-shaped veggies have turned out to be the shockingly villainous source of the E. coli contamination. Let’s be honest: onions may bring tears to your eyes, but who knew they could put you in a hospital bed?
The United States Centers for Disease Prevention and Control (CDC) has gotten involved—because, let’s face it, if an outbreak is big enough that the CDC has to make a statement, it’s definitely not about your grandma’s soup recipe. They’re temporarily pulling the contaminated ingredients from the menu — a move that might cause some heartbroken burger lovers to turn to sad salads. Honestly, who can blame them?
Enter Kamberlyn Bowler, a 15-year-old from Grand Junction, Colorado. Describing her ordeal is like something straight out of a horror movie — except instead of a killer clown, it’s E. coli. One moment, she’s happily munching on a Quarter Pounder with extra cheese and pickles (because who can resist that combo, right?), and before you know it, she’s fighting for her life!
Her first signs of trouble? Fever and stomach aches. Symptoms so vague that they could describe any high school experience ever! But when the vomit and diarrhea come knocking, it’s a different story. Kamberlyn described it as "scary"—a word we’re all too familiar with when it comes to both food poisoning and horror films.
After her first trip to the emergency room yielded no answers, she had to go back—a decision that’s hard when you consider the distinction between just feeling unwell, and actually needing medical assistance. Your body is basically throwing a temper tantrum, leaving you wondering if you should just put on a blanket and call it a day! Unfortunately, Kamberlyn ended up being diagnosed with hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) because what’s a little E. coli without a rare complication to spice things up?
As her mother, Randall, expressed, “It was scary watching her body work against her.” And isn’t that the most poetic yet terrifying description of being sick you’ve ever heard?
Kamberlyn’s journey has since involved multiple rounds of dialysis. There’s a saying: “never take your health for granted.” But it seems like some onion rings never got that memo—unfair of them, don’t you think? Now her future remains uncertain, and Randall often finds herself juggling worries about long-term kidney damage along with the typical chaos of being a mom.
Meanwhile, in the corporate realm, McDonald’s President Joe Erlinger has taken it upon himself to apologize to customers via video. “We are sorry,” he solemnly declares as if reading from his best attempt at a corporate eulogy rather than a genuine apology. But let’s be real: “We will make things right” is a promising proclamation—one that most of us have heard many times before whilst staring at our plain cheeseburger.
So, in a world where the happiest place on Earth can turn into a potential health hazard faster than you can say “Big Mac,” we’re left with the question: what’s next for the fast-food industry? Are we going to start seeing ‘vegetable health warnings’ added to our menus? “Beware: The onions may cause a trip to the ER!”
As we navigate this culinary catastrophe, remember: next time you grab a burger, maybe skip the onions, or at least ensure they’re double-washed and certified clean. Your kidneys might just thank you!
In closing, fast food might be a tempting little treat, but remember—your health should always come first! And for the love of fries, let’s all aim for fewer hospital visits, shall we?
(naf/kna)
Jakarta –
In a disturbing incident, 90 individuals have fallen ill after consuming burgers from the popular fast-food chain McDonald’s. Tragically, among those affected, 27 required intensive care in hospitals, and a heartbreaking death has been reported involving an elderly person in Colorado, United States.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has identified the source of the bacterial contamination as the raw onions used in McDonald’s iconic Quarter Pounder. As a precautionary measure, these food ingredients have been temporarily withdrawn from the menu while the E. coli outbreak is being thoroughly investigated and contained.
A 15-year-old girl from Grand Junction, Colorado, identified as Kamberlyn Bowler, has also become a victim of this outbreak. At present, she is receiving treatment in a hospital due to severe kidney failure linked to the E. coli infection.
The teenager recalled experiencing alarming symptoms that ultimately led to her hospitalization. Previously, Kamberlyn had been in excellent health, eagerly enjoying her favorite Quarter Pounder with extra cheese and pickles.
Initially, she displayed symptoms including fever and stomach pain that did not improve over the course of a month. “My mom and I thought I just had a fever, like the flu or something, with a stomach ache,” Kamberlyn recalled in an interview with NBC News. “But then I started vomiting and having diarrhea and bleeding, so that scared me.”
In response to her deteriorating condition, Randall, Kamberlyn’s father, took her to the emergency room. Unfortunately, initial tests showed no abnormalities, and her health continued to decline.
About a week later, exhausted and frightened by her symptoms, Kamberlyn returned to the doctor. “It scared me. I was scared,” she admitted. During this follow-up visit, tests revealed she was suffering from kidney failure due to a severe E. coli infection. She was subsequently transported to Children’s Hospital Colorado in Aurora for specialized care on October 18, where she is currently undergoing intensive treatment.
“It was scary watching her body work against her,” her mother, Randall, shared, reflecting on the distressing ordeal. “It was hard. I had to take time off from work, he was on the softball team for his middle school, he had to sit out the last few games because he was sick.”
Kamberlyn has been diagnosed with hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a rare complication associated with enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli, which occurs when bacteria attack the kidneys. After several rounds of dialysis, there is hope that her kidneys may regain functionality; however, the extent of any long-term damage remains uncertain.
“We’re not really sure what the conditions will be like in the future,” Randall expressed, acknowledging the uncertainty of Kamberlyn’s recovery. “He may have to undergo dialysis again. We hope it’s the last, but we also don’t know.”
Reflecting on the drastic changes to her health, Randall said, “He went from being perfectly healthy and having no problems at all to possibly having kidney damage throughout his life.”
In response to the crisis, McDonald’s President Joe Erlinger publicly apologized to affected customers in a video released on October 27, assuring them of the company’s commitment to regaining their trust. “On behalf of the McDonald’s system, I want you to hear from me: We are sorry,” he stated. “To the customers affected, I commit that, based on our values, we will make things right.”
(naf/kna)
Low-up visit, new tests diagnosed her with hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a serious condition resulting from a severe E. coli infection that can cause kidney damage. Subsequently, she was transferred to Children’s Hospital Colorado in Aurora where she is currently receiving intensive care.
Kamberlyn’s mother, Randall, shared the emotional toll, stating, “It was scary watching her body work against her.” The family has had to navigate the challenging situation while dealing with the anxieties of potential long-term health impacts and the disruption to their normal lives, including missed school and extracurricular activities.
As the investigation into the outbreak continues, the CDC has intervened, revealing that the source of the contamination was the raw onions used in McDonald’s Quarter Pounders. The fast-food giant is cooperating with authorities, and President Joe Erlinger publicly apologized to affected customers, reassuring them that the company is committed to restoring trust and safety.
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities within the food industry and the potential consequences of foodborne illnesses. As customers, we are left with lingering questions about food safety practices and what measures will be taken to prevent future outbreaks. While fast food may offer convenience and comfort, prioritizing health and safety remains paramount.
