CHI Health doctor shares tips for avoiding E. Coli after outbreak linked to McDonald’s Quarter Pounder

LINCOLN, Neb. (KOLN) – After the recent E. Coli outbreak at McDonald’s Quarter Pounder, an infectious disease doctor at CHI Health Center is sharing tips on how to identify and combat the bacteria.

There are many different types of E. coli, but the type detected in Quarter Pounder is known as Shiga toxin-producing E. coli.

Dr. Renuga Vivekanandan, an infectious disease physician and vice president of the department and chief medical officer of CHI Health’s physician enterprise, said contamination can occur from sand, grass and manure.

It is currently unknown how the contamination in the recent outbreak occurred and remains under investigation.

Symptoms to watch out for include:

• Diarrhea, sometimes bloody

Symptoms usually appear three to five days after E. coli enters the body, Dr. Vivekanandan.

Anyone who is afraid of becoming infected with E. Coli should monitor their symptoms closely and ensure they get plenty of rest and drink enough fluids. Dr. Vivekanandan said if symptoms start to worsen, contact your primary care doctor or seek medical attention immediately.

“The best way to avoid E. coli contamination is to cook your food well, keep raw meat separate from vegetables, wash your hands before preparing meals, and wash your hands after using the bathroom “said Dr. Vivekanandan.

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) issued a food safety alert on Tuesday after 49 people from 10 states reported becoming ill in connection with this outbreak, including 27 from Colorado and nine from Nebraska. At least 10 people have been hospitalized and “one elderly” person in Colorado has died, according to the CDC.

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