In mid-October, Kamberlyn Bowler, a 15-year-old freshman from Grand Junction, Colorado, was hospitalized due to severe complications from food poisoning after consuming McDonald’s Quarter Pounders with cheese—complete with extra pickles and onions—three times within a span of just over a week. This occurred shortly before a deadly E. coli outbreak was announced.
Kamberlyn’s condition deteriorated rapidly, compelling medical professionals to airlift her 250 miles to a Denver hospital. There, she underwent dialysis for ten days in a desperate attempt to protect her kidneys from severe damage.
The outbreak has affected at least 75 individuals, with 22 needing hospitalization. Local health officials have tentatively traced the source of the outbreak to contaminated onions, with Kamberlyn’s county, Mesa County, reporting 11 illnesses and one death. Federal health authorities noted that the slivered onions used in the burgers are a probable cause of the outbreak.
As Kamberlyn’s mother, Brittany Randall, reflects on the terrifying experience, she expressed deep concern about her daughter’s health and the frightening reality that a seemingly innocuous fast-food item could lead to such serious illness. “It’s pretty scary to know that we put so much faith and trust that we’re going to be eating something that’s healthy and for it to be broken,” she remarked.
In light of these events, Randall is contemplating legal action against the fast-food chain, especially after doctors confirmed that Kamberlyn had contracted the E. coli O157:H7 strain linked to the outbreak.
According to medical experts, this particular strain of bacteria releases a harmful toxin that can lead to hemolytic uremic syndrome, a severe kidney disease complication. Dr. Myda Khalid, a kidney specialist at Riley Hospital for Children in Indiana, stated that many affected children are hospitalized for prolonged periods and some may eventually require kidney transplants. “Time is critical,” she emphasized. “We must navigate this window with utmost care.” While the condition can be life-threatening, most children do recover over time.
Kamberlyn recalled her ordeal, stating that after eating the Quarter Pounders between September 27 and October 8, she began to feel unwell. Symptoms of fever, vomiting, and severe abdominal cramps soon followed. “I couldn’t get out of bed. I couldn’t eat. I couldn’t drink. I was surviving on Popsicles. I felt awful,” she shared.
Initially, Randall, who is a single mother with three older children, suspected that Kamberlyn had the flu. However, her alarm grew when Kamberlyn reported blood in her stool and urine, as well as vomiting blood. Realizing the gravity of the situation, Randall took her daughter to a local hospital on October 11, where doctors initially diagnosed her with a stomach bug and advised her to stay hydrated. By October 17, with no improvement, Kamberlyn returned to the emergency room, where tests revealed acute kidney failure. She was subsequently flown to Children’s Hospital Colorado, where she was still receiving treatment as of Tuesday.
On a recent conference call with investors, Chris Kempczinski, McDonald’s chairman, president, and CEO, addressed the outbreak, stating, “Nothing is more important to us than the safety of our customers. The recent spate of E. coli cases is deeply concerning, and hearing reports of how this has impacted our customers has been wrenching for us.”
As the hospital bills pile up, Randall worries about the future, saying, “The hospital bills are racking up. And I’m a single mom and I just don’t know that I can necessarily afford all of what’s coming after all of this. And I don’t know what the future looks like, either.”
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