A high school freshman in Colorado, Kamberlyn Bowler, has been hospitalized with kidney failure after consuming McDonald’s Quarter Pounders that were likely contaminated with E. coli. At least 75 people across 13 states have been infected with E. coli following meals at the fast-food chain, with one person dying. The source of the contamination is believed to be slivered onions served on the Quarter Pounders, prompting McDonald’s to remove them from its menu items.
Kamberlyn began experiencing symptoms including fever, stomach pain, vomiting, and bloody diarrhea, eventually requiring hospitalization. She was diagnosed with enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli-associated hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a rare and potentially life-threatening complication of E. coli infection that can lead to kidney failure. Kamberlyn has undergone multiple rounds of dialysis and may face lasting damage to her kidneys.
Her mother, Brittany Randall, plans to sue McDonald’s on Kamberlyn’s behalf, along with an attorney representing other victims of the E. coli outbreak. McDonald’s has expressed regret over the situation and pledged to make things right for affected customers. The outbreak has raised concerns about food safety practices and the need to prevent similar incidents in the future. Experts emphasize the importance of quick recognition of symptoms and seek further investigation to understand the breakdown in food safety protocols that led to the contamination.
Photo credit
www.nbcnews.com