The world is in a bit of panic right now about clowns.

Scary clown sightings, first reported in South Carolina in August, have now spread to England, Australia and Brazil.

Related: Clown Hysteria is Bad (or Good?) for Business

It’s gotten so bad that McDonald’s, the world’s largest chain of fast food restaurants, has decided to bench one of its favorite and long-lasting mascots — Ronald McDonald.

“McDonald’s and franchisees in local markets are mindful of the current climate around clown sightings in communities and as such are being thoughtful with respect to Ronald McDonald’s participation in community events for the time being,” said the company in a media release.

McDonald’s did not say how many of the clown’s appearances would be cut or who exactly would be suffering due to a lack of the Ronald, who has been the face of the company since 1963. Ronald McDonald “himself” (who was always a little creepy if you ask us) has not commented on the move.

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The clown phenomenon continues to escalate as Halloween gets closer. Each day has brought a new development in the scary clown scourge, ranging from childish pranks to serious attacks.

Dozens of clown incidents have been reported across England in recent days, The New York Times reported, including a clown jumping out from behind a bush or climbing onto a car at a traffic light. No injuries have been reported so far, but police said anti-clown patrols had been increased in some areas.

But in Australia on Tuesday, an ax-wielding clown was arrested in Victoria, in the southeast of the country, after accosting a woman in her car.

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A 2014 Rasmussen poll found that 43 percent of adults don’t like clowns. That poll today would probably find a much higher number.