No additional deaths were reported; the only confirmed death nationwide was of a Mesa County resident.

The Mesa County Public Health Department said in a news release that the resident was a senior citizen with underlying health conditions. The ministry was unable to specify the gender or identity of this person.

“So many of these food producers are trying to do the right thing… but so many of these companies forget that they’re making food, and it becomes a commodity on a conveyor belt,” he said. said foodborne illness attorney Bill Marler. “They don’t realize that people are going to put them in their bodies, feed them to their grandmothers and their children. »

The CDC also identified three new states affected by the outbreak: New Mexico, Washington and Michigan.

Meanwhile, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) told the Daily Sentinel that no new cases have been confirmed in Colorado.

Kathleen Satterfield, Mesa County Public Health supervising epidemiologist, said the department continues to investigate potential cases in conjunction with CDPHE.

“We are awaiting additional testing at the state level to see if there are additional cases of E. coli linked to the outbreak,” Satterfield said. “Our agency has mobilized and trained several members of our team to provide support to affected members of the community.

Colorado’s number of cases, 26, is more than any other state.

CDPHE also told the Sentinel that eight of those cases in Colorado resulted in hospitalization.

Cases of E. coli linked to the Quarter Pounder outbreak have been confirmed in Arapahoe, Chaffee, El Paso, Gunnison, Larimer, Mesa, Routt, Teller and Weld counties.

OPTIMISTIC OUTLOOK

Despite the increase in the number of confirmed cases and affected areas, the CDC said in its latest press release that “the continued risk to the public is very low.” The press release adds that the most recent confirmed onset of the illness was on October 10.

According to the CDC, the continued risk of an outbreak of E. coli is minimal because McDonald’s has temporarily removed Quarter Pounders from restaurants in affected states, and another ingredient under investigation is now under recall.

The ingredient – ​​“fresh chopped onions” – came from international produce supplier Taylor Farms. The Food and Drug Administration confirmed that the recall was voluntary.

CDPHE said Taylor Farms indicated its recall could involve a processing and distribution center in Colorado Springs, which receives supplies from across the country.

“We pride ourselves on providing fresh, safe and healthy food to people every day. It saddens us to see the illnesses and individuals and families affected by the current outbreak of E. coli O157:H7. Our thoughts and prayers are with the individuals and their affected families. Our priority remains the health and safety of our consumers. We have preemptively recalled yellow onions from our Taylor Farms plant in Colorado that were sent to certain foodservice customers. We continue to work with the CDC and FDA who are investigating the source of the outbreak. “All Taylor Farms products on the market today are safe to eat,” Rachel Molatore said in a statement to the Sentinel Friday evening.

As of Friday, the FDA still could not confirm whether the outbreak came from sliced ​​onions or Quarter Pounder beef patties; however, the FDA has reported that none of McDonald’s other beef patties (such as its hamburgers or Big Macs) or its “diced onions” are suspected sources of E. coli.

Although some details are still uncertain, some consumers who became ill from tainted Quarter Pounders have already filed lawsuits against the fast food franchise.

A Greeley resident filed a lawsuit Wednesday seeking $50,000 in damages for product liability, negligence and breach of warranty.

The lawsuit said the Greeley resident developed symptoms of E. coli. coli two days after eating a quarter pounder on October 4; this diagnosis was confirmed at a local emergency room on October 8.

According to the lawsuit, the plaintiff is still recovering from the infection.

A North Platte, Nebraska, resident also filed a lawsuit against McDonald’s, and the attorney representing the two plaintiffs said he worked with 15 consumers in total who became ill.

Marler – who currently represents two Coloradans and two Nebraskans affected by the E. coli – said he has seen many improvements in food safety during his more than 30 years representing people affected by foodborne illness outbreaks.

Marler said 90% of his cases were once outbreaks of E. coli from beef, but after government regulations and industry crackdowns, these contaminations are rare.

However, Marler said there are persistent outbreaks of foodborne illnesses linked to fruits and vegetables, particularly onions and leafy greens.

He said this isn’t Taylor Farm’s first recall: an outbreak of E. coli that infected 19 people in 2015 was ultimately linked to an ingredient in Costco’s rotisserie chicken salad. Specifically, the diced celery and onion mix – from Taylor Farms – tested positive for the specific strain of E. coli. coli during this epidemic.

According to Marler, these foodborne illnesses are difficult for consumers to detect and prevent, but one step that can be taken to avoid getting sick from an outbreak is to lobby food industries and government for regulations. and stricter protections.

“(As) consumers, we can do things like handle chicken properly, cook it thoroughly, and wash fruits and vegetables more thoroughly,” Marler said. “But 50 E. Coli bacteria is enough to kill you, and 100,000 of them fit on the head of a pin, so it’s not like you can see that stuff.”

“Consumers are really counting on these manufacturers to pay attention to detail,” he added. “Honestly, the thing consumers can do to protect themselves is call their congressman and senator and say, ‘This is not acceptable.’ »

REPEATING REMINDERS

While the Quarter Pounder-E. coli is reportedly slowing down, the Mesa County Public Health Department issued a new food safety alert Friday.

The alert warned residents of potential listeria contamination among chicken taco meal kits sold by Sprouts Farmer’s Market, as well as several brands of frozen waffles and pancakes sold at chains including Dollar General, Kroger , Target and Walmart.

According to the FDA, Listeria infections can be serious and even fatal for young children, frail or elderly adults, and those with weakened immune systems; Infections in pregnant women can lead to miscarriages and stillbirths.

The FDA said infected healthy people may experience short-term symptoms: high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea.

Affected frozen waffles and pancakes include several brands, such as Good & Gather, Kroger and Great Value. The full list of recalled brands and products, as well as how to identify them, is available at fda.gov/safety.