A large Campylobacter outbreak associated with Ropelato Dairy in Ogden, Utah, is drawing attention to the state's "Raw Milk for Retail'' rules, legal code that allowed authorities to suspend Ropelato's state-authorized operating permit while officials investigate the cause of so many illnesses. So far, 45 cases of Campylobacter infection have been reported by the Utah Department of Health. The size of the current outbreak is almost as large as the 2002 raw milk outbreak in Ohio that is cited in the Utah Administrative Code as one reason the state's Department of Agriculture and Food -- with FDA concurrence -- "strongly advises against the consumption of raw milk'' for health reasons. According to a review of Utah Rule R70-330 by Food Poisoning Bulletin, the state warns its residents … [Read more...]
Campylobacter Outbreak at Mudder Run
Twenty two people who participated in a 2012 muddy, long distance, obstacle adventure race or "mudder" in Nevada contracted Campylobacter infections, according to a new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The race was held in a rural setting where, health officials say, manure from farm animals may have contaminated the mud into which participants often fell face first. Some who participated in the race, held October 6-7, were active duty military members. Between October 10 a-12 , three of them sought emergency care for symptoms including bloody diarrhea, cramping, abdominal pain and fever. Nineteen other patients, military and civilian, were them identified. All but two of those sickened sought medical care. One person was hospitalized. Although all … [Read more...]
Oregon Campylobacter Outbreak Associated with Coos Bay Oysters
A press release from the Oregon Health Authority states that Coos Bay Oyster Company of Charleston, Oregon is recalling all of its shucked oysters because they may be contaminated with Campylobacter bacteria. There have been three confirmed reported cases of Campylobacter linked to the shellfish. The oysters were purchased from two markets in Lane and Coos counties and harvested from Coos Bay, Oregon. The company recalled product on January 30, 2014 and expanded the recall to include all of the raw shucked oysters. Coos Bay Oyster Company has stopped production and distribution of the product while an investigation is underway. The shellfish was sold in plastic tubs in 1/2 gallon, quart, pint, and half-pint sizes, with sell-by dates from January 15 to February 17, 2014. The oysters … [Read more...]
Campylobacter Infections Can Have Long-Term Health Effects
Raw milk Campylobacter outbreaks have sickened at least 47 people in three states over the last four months. Those who became ill suffered symptoms including fever, abdominal cramping, vomiting and diarrhea, which is sometimes bloody for one to three weeks. And for some of them, the illness didn't end when these symptoms subsided. That's because Campylobacter infection occasionally results in long-term complications such as reactive arthritis which causes painful swelling of the joints and Guillain-Barré syndrome, which is characterized by the sudden onset of paralysis that can last weeks, months or years. "Drinking raw milk or eating products made from raw milk can expose you to a variety of pathogens that can result in anything from a few days of diarrhea to kidney failure and … [Read more...]
Raw Milk Campylobacter Outbreaks: 4 in 4 Months
A Campylobacter outbreak associated with raw milk produced on a farm in Cambridge, MN is the fourth Campylobacter raw milk outbreak in four months. The outbreak, which has sickened at least six people, prompted officials to temporarily halt on-farm sales of raw milk while they investigate and issue a statewide consumer advisory. Campylobacter is a bacteria that is transferred via the fecal-oral route, meaning those who develop Campylobacter infections have ingested microscopic amounts of animal feces. Pasteurization kills bacteria that cause disease, but raw milk is not pasteurized. Symptoms of a Campylobacter infection, called campylobacteriosis, include abdominal cramping, vomiting and diarrhea. These infections can pose serious risk for some people, especially young children, … [Read more...]
Campylobacter Outbreak Halts Raw Milk Sales at Cambridge MN Farm
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...]
