E. coli Outbreak Linked to Chicken Wraps Grows to 50 Cases

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reported Friday that an E. coli outbreak linked to multi-ingredient chicken wraps has now sickened 50 people nationwide.

Twelve new cases were identified in the past week, representing a 32% increase from the previous week's total. This marks a significant rise since September 23, when the FDA announced its investigation into the outbreak.

The infections are attributed to E. coli strain O157:H7, a pathogen known to cause severe intestinal distress and potential kidney damage. This same strain was responsible for a 2024 McDonald's recall that resulted in one death and 34 hospitalizations.

While investigators have not definitively identified the source, multi-ingredient chicken wraps have been identified as the suspected culprit. Health officials confirmed that these wraps have passed their sell-by dates and are no longer available for sale in the U.S. Efforts are currently underway to determine if any ingredients from these wraps might have been used in other products still on the market.

Details regarding the specific brand of chicken wraps, where they were sold, the geographic distribution of the illnesses, and whether any patients were hospitalized have not yet been released.

The FDA has collected samples from the suspected chicken wraps for laboratory testing and is conducting inspections and contact tracing to identify additional affected individuals. The specific ingredient within the wraps that may have caused the illnesses remains unclear.

In the 2024 McDonald's E. coli outbreak, contaminated sliced onions used in quarter-pounder burgers were identified as the likely cause. McDonald's temporarily suspended the use of onions and subsequently sourced a new supply not affected by the bacteria.

This chicken wrap outbreak is currently the second-largest foodborne illness outbreak tracked by the FDA in the U.S., which is monitoring seven such outbreaks. The largest involves 116 reported cases of salmonella, with its source still unidentified.

E. coli infections typically spread through the consumption of contaminated food or water, including undercooked meat, raw milk, unpasteurized juices, and leafy greens. Initial symptoms often include abdominal cramps, watery diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and fever. In severe cases, symptoms can progress to bloody diarrhea and dehydration, which can be fatal.

Individuals infected with the E. coli O157:H7 strain face an increased risk of developing hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a potentially life-altering kidney complication that affects approximately 5% to 10% of patients. While anyone can contract E. coli, young children, the elderly, and individuals with compromised immune systems are more vulnerable to severe outcomes.

An estimated 75,000 to 90,000 Americans are infected with the O157:H7 strain annually, leading to about 100 deaths. While some E. coli infections resolve without medical intervention, persistent symptoms may necessitate antibiotic treatment or intravenous fluid replacement.