News Release

*IMMEDIATE RELEASE*
October 22, 2024  

*MEDIA **CONTACT
*Jeff Powell, 402-471-6223, [email protected]

*Multi-State Outbreak of E. coli Includes Nine Cases in Nebraska*

*Lincoln**, NE *– The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has reported an outbreak of 49 cases of Shiga toxin-producing "E. coli" (STEC) in 10 states. Currently, nine cases have been identified in the following Nebraska public health regions: Lincoln-Lancaster County, Douglas County, and Sarpy-Cass. Initial investigations have potentially linked the outbreak to McDonald’s Quarter Pounders.

The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is working closely with the CDC, the USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and local health departments in Nebraska to communicate with patients and identify other potential cases.

The CDC is not advising against eating McDonald’s food. Potentially contaminated items have been removed from the menu in affected states.

STEC can be spread through undercooked meat, raw milk, unpasteurized juices, contaminated water, and fruits and vegetables that have been contaminated with feces.

After being exposed to STEC, symptoms usually occur after three to four days but could take as little as one day and as long as 10 days. STEC infections can make individuals of all ages sick*.* In some cases, especially in young kids, older adults, or people with weakened immune systems, STEC can cause a serious condition called hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), which can lead to kidney failure and other health problems, including death.

Signs of HUS include little or no urination, losing pink color in cheeks and inside the lower eyelids, unexplained bruising or rash of tiny red spots, blood in urine, and decreased alertness.

Additional information can be found on this page of the CDC’s website: [link removed].

*If you become ill with diarrhea or vomiting and a fever higher than 102°F after eating at McDonald’s, contact your primary care provider immediately. For those without a primary care provider, please call your **Local Health Department* [ [link removed] ]*, **or the Nebraska DHHS Office of Epidemiology at (402) 471-2937.*

# # #


"Helping People Live Better Lives" | dhhs.ne.gov [ [link removed] ]



Bookmark and Share [ [link removed] ]

________________________________________________________________________

Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services Questions? Contact Us [ [link removed] ]

STAY CONNECTED: Visit us on Twitter [ [link removed] ] Visit us on YouTube [ [link removed] ] Visit us on Facebook [ [link removed] ] Sign up for email updates [ [link removed] ]  

SUBSCRIBER SERVICES:
Manage Preferences [ [link removed] ]  |  Unsubscribe [ [link removed] ]  |  Help [ [link removed] ]

________________________________________________________________________

This email was sent to [email protected] using GovDelivery Communications Cloud on behalf of: Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services · 301 Centennial Mall South · Lincoln, NE 68509 · 402-471-3121 GovDelivery logo [ [link removed] ]