One dead, 26 sick in Colorado in “severe E. coli outbreak” linked to McDonald's food

Officials say 27 people in Colorado have become ill in an E. coli outbreak that investigators are linking to food at McDonald's restaurants.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, a “rapid outbreak investigation” is underway in Colorado and other Western states.

Nationwide, 49 people were infected with the same strain of E. coli. However, most cases are in Colorado, where an elderly person has also died after contracting the bacteria, according to the CDC. A child was also hospitalized and diagnosed with a condition that can lead to kidney failure. In neighboring Nebraska, nine people are sick.

The common thread that federal investigators say is McDonald's Quarter Pounder. Teams assume fresh, chopped onions and/or fresh beef patties are the culprit.

McDonald's told federal regulators it has removed the ingredients from some stores and Quarter Pounders may be temporarily unavailable.

What you should know about this outbreak of E. coli infections

• If you have severe symptoms of an E. coli infection after eating a Quarter Pounder hamburger at McDonald's, seek medical attention and tell your doctor what you ate.
• Symptoms usually begin three to four days after ingesting the bacteria.
• Most people infected with Shiga toxin-producing E. coli experience severe stomach cramps, diarrhea (often bloody), and vomiting.
• Most people recover without treatment in five to seven days.