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McDonald's location in New York temporarily closes amid illness reports

Local and state health officials are looking into reports of 15 people who got sick after eating breakfast sandwiches at the restaurant.
Photograph courtesy of McDonald's

Local and state health officials in New York said Thursday they are investigating reports of multiple illnesses in people who ate at a McDonald’s location in Jamestown, N.Y., earlier this month.

The New York State Department of Health and the Chautauqua County Health Department said that 15 people reporting nausea, vomiting or diarrhea had eaten breakfast sandwiches at the restaurant earlier this month. The franchisee has temporarily closed the location.

The cases were among a group of 21 people who’ve reported getting sick from Aug. 5 through Aug. 21.

The departments said that breakfast sandwiches prepared at the restaurant were sent to a state lab for testing.

McDonald’s is cooperating with the investigation. The franchisee temporarily closed the restaurant and cleaned the food preparation area and equipment, reviewed the food preparation and distribution process with county staff and restocked the restaurant before restarting production, the agencies said.

“We are cooperating with the local state health departments as they investigate reports of an unknown illness and its source,” Enrico Francani, operator of that restaurant, said in a statement provided by the company.

“Because the health and safety of our customers is always our top priority, out of an abundance of caution, we proactively closed a restaurant for cleaning and sanitation. We look forward to reopening soon.”

McDonald’s stock was down 1% on Thursday.

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