McDonald's denies H1N1 rumours

McDonald's has strongly denied mobile and internet rumours falsely claiming the detection of H1N1 virus (swine flu) cases among its employees and the closure of one of its restaurants.

The rumours were "not true", the restaurant giant said in a statement yesterday.

It reassured its customers that the safety and well-being of its employees and restaurants were its top priority.

McDonald's said its staff were continuously trained in the most rigorous hygiene procedures, and its products underwent some of the world's most stringent safety tests.

The company urged the public to be careful about rumours and advised people to rely only on information coming from official bodies.

The McDonald's denial comes as the UAE's fifth case of swine flu was confirmed on Saturday – the fourth in a week.

An infected woman, identified as a UAE resident, arrived in the country on Friday, according to state news agency, Wam. She is being treated in hospital.

Two other UAE nationals tested positive for the virus on Thursday, and another UAE national who travelled from America was confirmed as infected on Monday.

The UAE's first swine flu patient was reportedly released from hospital last month.

 

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