The New Jersey Herald is reporting that the Warren County Health Department confirmed about 30 people at Blair Academy have been sickened with Campylobacter infections. This is a private boarding and day high school located in Blairstown. Illnesses have been reported since mid-November, 2015. Nearly all of the cases have "resolved" within days, according to the story. Susan Logan, spokeswoman for Blair Academy, emailed parents about this outbreak. Her statement said "In November, our health center saw an increased incidence of gastrointestinal-related illnesses and alerted all parents by email on November 20 prior to students leaving campus for Thanksgiving break. Late that weekend, we found out that several of those who experienced symptoms tested positive for Campylobacter. Upon … [Read more...]
CDC: Raw Milk Caused 85 Percent of Dairy Outbreaks in 2013
Raw milk products were the source of 85 percent of all food poisoning outbreaks linked to dairy products in 2013, according to report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). A total of 20 dairy outbreaks were reported that year for which pasteurization information was available. Of those, 17 were linked to unpasteurized products. The other three were Listeria outbreaks linked to pasteurized soft cheeses. Campylobacter was the most common bacterial source of the raw milk outbreaks causing nine outbreaks, 114 illnesses and five hospitalizations. In the last nine months, there have been at least three Campylobacter raw milk outbreaks. The most recent outbreak has been linked to raw goat milk from Claravale Farms. Three children, all under the age of 5, have been … [Read more...]
Campylobacter in Raw Milk Sickens Young Children in Odon and Montgomery IN
Campylobacter in raw milk has sickened several Indian children under the age of 2, according to the Indiana Department of Health. The illnesses were reported in the Odon and Montgomery areas. Symptoms of campylobacteriosis include diarrhea, cramping, abdominal pain and fever. These symptoms develop two to five days after exposure and can last about a week. During this time, the diarrhea can become bloody and sometimes there is also nausea and vomiting. Infections in young children, seniors and those with weakened immune systems can cause serious health problems. Anyone who develops these symptoms after drinking raw milk should see a doctor. Unpasteurized dairy products and undercooked poultry are the most common sources of Campylobacter infections. Food and drinks that are contaminated … [Read more...]
Claravale Raw Milk May be Associated with Campylobacter Outbreak
The California Department of Public Health warned consumers that consumption of unpasteurized (raw) milk may cause serious illness. Six people in northern California have been diagnosed with campylobacteriosis, a serious infection caused by Campylobacter bacteria. Multiple bottles of raw milk from Claravale Farm have tested positive for Campylobacter and have been recalled. In 2012, raw milk from Claravale farm sickened at least 22 people with Campylobacter. In this latest recall, raw milk, raw nonfat milk and raw cream from Claravale Farm in San Benito county with code dates of "MAR 28 and earlier should be disposed. Retailers should not sell it, and consumers should not drink it. The symptoms of a Campylobacter infection include diarrhea that is often bloody, abdominal cramping and … [Read more...]
Claravale Raw Milk Recalled for Campylobacter; Outbreak Possible
The California Department of Public Health is recalling raw milk, raw nonfat milk, and raw cream produced by Claravale Farm of San Benito County. This farm was the source of a Campylobacter outbreak in 2012 that sickened at least 22 people. Public health officials are also investigating reported clusters of Campylobacter illness in the area. A statewide recall has been issued and a quarantine order was issued by California State Veterinarian Dr. Annette Jones. A confirmed detection of Campylobacter bacteria was found in raw milk and raw cream collected from the farm. Consumers are urged to throw away any of this farm's milk products in their refrigerators that have code dates of "MAR 28" and earlier. Discard in sealed containers so other people and animals can't drink it. The samples … [Read more...]
Food Poisoning Can Have Lifelong Health Effects
Every American has had food poisoning at one time or another. Most people dismiss the illness as the "24 hour flu", even though no such illness exists. If you have had diarrhea, vomiting, stomach cramps, nausea, and fever that passes fairly quickly, you probably had food poisoning. Most people recover fully after these illnesses and don't give them a second thought. But did you know that some people never fully recover from food poisoning? The effects of these illnesses can last a lifetime. In the UK, a young women who contracted an E. coli O157:H7 infection when she was two years old just learned she needs a second kidney transplant. When she got sick as a child, she was hospitalized with kidney failure after eating a contaminated sandwich. She had a stroke and many serious … [Read more...]
In Durand Raw Milk Football Team Outbreak, Farm May Be Identified
>Wisconsin's Department of Health Services will finally identify the farm that supplied raw milk linked to a large food poisoning outbreak in the west-central town of Durand this fall. Based on numerous accounts, participants in a potluck banquet for the Durand High School football teams were not informed that the milk they were served was unpasteurized. Within days, multiple students were hospitalized and state health investigators ultimately confirmed 38 victims. The outbreak was so severe, the football program was forced to cancel two of its games and school officials marked 150 absences. Stephanie Smiley, a spokeswoman for the Department of Health Services, told the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel that the raw milk farm could be named in a report on the outbreak that is due out next … [Read more...]
Durand Students Sickened by Campylobacter Unaware Milk Was Raw
Members of a high school football team in Durand, Wisc. were not told the milk provided for a banquet by a parent was unpasteurized, according to a local news report. Dozens of the students who attended the banquet contracted bacterial infections from Campylobacter in the milk. Brianna Winnekins, 18, had a 105˚F fever and other symptoms before she was hospitalized Sept. 22 at Chippewa Valley Hospital. Winnekins, a manager of the football team who was hospitalized for four days, said had she known the milk was unpasteurized she would have avoided it. Campylobacter is transmitted when food or beverages contaminated with animal feces are consumed. Thirty eight members of the team contracted campylobacteriosis, at least eight of them were hospitalized. The outbreak forced the … [Read more...]
Raw Milk is Source of Campylobacter Outbreak at Durand High School
Raw milk is the source of a Campylobacter outbreak that sickened 22 members of the Durand High School football team, hospitalized eight people, forced the cancelation of two football games and prompted 150 high school and middle school students to miss classes to avoid becoming ill. The milk was served at a September 18 potluck. Health officials from the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS), the Wisconsin State Lab of Hygiene (WSLH), the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) and the Pepin County Health Department worked together on an investigation of the outbreak. Tests identified the DNA"fingerprint" of the Campylobactor jejuni bacteria that sickened members of the team and coaching staff and found that it was a genetic match to Campylobacter … [Read more...]
Raw Milk Campylobacter Outbreak in Utah This Summer
According to the Salt Lake Tribune, there was a Campylobacter outbreak in Utah this summer linked to raw milk that sickened at least 80 people. Ropelato Dairy was the source of the contaminated milk. One man with a compromised immune system died after drinking the unpasteurized milk. State epidemiologist Cindy Burnett told members of the Legislature that of the 80 people sickened, 20% were hospitalized. Raw milk products sold in Utah must carry a warning label stating that anyone in a high risk group should avoid raw or unpasteurized dairy products. Ropelato Dairy did not put that warning on their products. In August 2014, the Utah Department of health said they were investigating a cluster of illnesses linked to the consumption of raw milk or cream purchased at Ropelato Dairy. The … [Read more...]
