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...]
