Dennis Jaloszyski's dairy farm near Cambridge, MN has temporarily suspended raw milk sales while state health authorities investigate a Campylobacter outbreak that has sickened at least six people. Anyone who purchased or received raw milk from this farm should not drink it. During interviews with health officials, patients reported drinking mik from the farm before becoming ill. Three of the cases have been confirmed with lab tests, according to epidemiologists with the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH). Jaloszyski did not keep a customer list, so health officials have issued a consumer advisory. The retail sale of raw milk is not permitted in Minnesota, but consumers may buy raw milk on the farm where it was produced. Last month, cheese made from raw milk sickened 25 people … [Read more...]
Campylobacter Outbreak at Valhalla Kenisco Dam, NY Food Festival
The Westchester County Health Department says that many people became ill with Campylobacter infections after attending a food festival at the Kenisco Dam in Valhalla, New York in early June. The Burger and Beer Bash was held outdoors on June 6, 2013. The outbreak is now over, according to public health officials. The bacteria was identified from samples taken from people who became ill after attending the festival. Most people will recover from a Campylobacter infection on their own within five days, but some in high risks groups may need to be hospitalized. Campylobacter symptoms include diarrhea, which may be watery or bloody, vomiting, abdominal cramps, headache, muscle pain, and fever. Health Commissioner Dr. Sherlita Amler said in a statement, "anyone who has not already become … [Read more...]
After Campylobacter Outbreak, Recall Raw Milk Sales Resume at Family Cow
Raw milk sales have resumed at the Family Cow farm in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania following a temporary stoppage prompted by an outbreak of campylobacteriosis that sickened at least five people in May. Pennsylvania health officials advised consumers who purchased the milk to discard it after the strain of Campylobacter that sickened those who became ill was found in a bottle of the raw milk taken from the farm. Campylobacteriosis causes abdominal cramping, fever, vomiting and diarrhea that can sometimes be bloody. It can also cause serious illness in some people, especially young children, seniors, pregnant women and others with compromised immune systems. In rare cases, people with campylobcateriosis will develop Guillain-Barre Syndrome, which causes paralysis. In a Facebook … [Read more...]
Another Raw Milk Campylobacter Outbreak in Alaska
A second Campylobacter outbreak that has sickened at least five people has been associated with a cow-share program on the Kenai Peninsula, according to the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services. A March Campylobacter outbreak associated with that same cow-share sickened 31 people, leaving four with reactive arthritis. Two of the five people sickened in this outbreak sought medical attention. Testing by the Alaska State Public Health Laboratory matched the outbreak strain of Campylobacter jejuni to one found in cow manure at the farm during the earlier outbreak. “The genetic fingerprint of the bacteria isolated from these two people and the cow is unique. It has never been seen before in the United States,” Dr. Joe McLaughlin, State Epidemiologist, said in a statement. … [Read more...]
Raw Milk Always a Risk: Study of 2012 Family Cow Campylobacter Outbreak
A study published in the April issue of Clinical Infectious Diseases looked at the 2012 Campylobacter outbreak linked to raw milk produced at the Family Cow dairy in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania. The study's authors say this outbreak "demonstrates the ongoing hazards of unpasteurized dairy products." That outbreak sickened at least 81 people in four states. The sale of raw milk is legal in Pennsylvania, although transporting raw milk for sale across state lines is illegal. Dairy farms which produce and sell raw milk in that state must be inspected by public health officials annually and test their products two times a month for coliforms and standard plate counts. Biannual milk culturing for bacterial pathogens is also required. Despite these rules, during the time period of 2007 to … [Read more...]
