(Gray News) – New Mexico and Nevada have been added to the list of states where McDonald’s restaurants have removed certain Quarter Pounder ingredients following an outbreak of E. coli. coli.

Although no illnesses have been reported in these two states, McDonald’s has removed Quarter Pounder Sliced ​​Onions and Beef Patties from its restaurants as a precaution.

Here are the 12 states in which McDonald’s has temporarily removed Quarter Pounder ingredients:

• Colorado
• Nebraska
• Utah
• Wyoming
• Iowa
• Kansas
• Missouri
• Montana
• Oregon
• Wisconsin
• New Mexico (no illnesses reported)
• Nevada (no illnesses reported)

Officials believe the outbreak of E. coli is linked to Quarter Pounders, especially sliced ​​onions or beef patties.

McDonald’s said the beef patties and onions are only used on Quarter Pounders and not other menu items.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, an investigation into the illnesses began Tuesday.

The CDC said 49 people from 10 states have gotten sick, about half of whom are from Colorado.

One elderly person died and 10 people were hospitalized. The death occurred in Mesa County, Colorado.

The patients are between 13 and 88 years old.

The CDC said everyone surveyed reported eating at McDonald’s before their illness began, and specifically mentioned eating a quarter-pounder.

As of Wednesday afternoon, confirmed illnesses were reported in the following states:

• Colorado: 26 people
• Nebraska: 9 people
• Utah: 4 people
• Wyoming: 4 people
• Iowa: 1 person
• Kansas: 1 person
• Missouri: 1 person
• Montana: 1 person
• Oregon: 1 person
• Wisconsin: 1 person

The first illness was reported on September 27. The CDC said many illnesses may not yet be reported because it typically takes a few weeks to determine whether a sick person is part of an outbreak.

The actual number of sick people in this outbreak is also likely much higher than the number reported, the CDC said.

McDonald’s corporate headquarters released the following statement Tuesday evening:

Most people infected with E. coli experience severe stomach cramps, diarrhea (often bloody), and vomiting.

According to the CDC, symptoms usually begin three to four days after swallowing the bacteria. Most people recover without treatment after five to seven days.

The CDC urges anyone experiencing symptoms of an E. coli infection after eating at McDonald’s to contact their doctor and report what they ate.

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