Five raw milk outbreaks occurring at the same time this fall highlight the inherent risks of this product. Raw milk is unpasteurized, that is, it is not heat treated to kill dangerous pathogens such as E. coli, Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella, Brucella, Campylobacter, and Cryptosporidium. The issue is that a cow's udders are close to the anus. And ruminant animals such as cows can harbor pathogens and not appear sick. The pathogens are excreted in feces and can easily contaminate the udders and milk. All together, these outbreaks have sickened at least 51 people. And since the multipliers for Salmonella and Campylobacter alone are around 30, that means there could be 1500 people sick. The Outbreaks These outbreaks occurred in September and October, 2023. Two of the outbreaks … [Read more...]
Wyoming Raw Milk Outbreak Sickens Four Children, One Adult
A Wyoming raw milk outbreak has sickened at least four children and one adult, according to news reports and the Wyoming Department of Health. The patients are sick with either E. coli or Campylobacter infections. Two children have been hospitalized. The raw milk was purchased through the Slow Food in the Tetons online market on either September 14 or September 21, 2023. Public health officials have traced the illnesses to the consumption of raw milk or raw milk products. The state did not identify the seller at this time. The patients live in Teton and Lincoln counties. Slow Food in the Tetons executive Director Scott Steen told the Jackson Hole News & Guide that the nonprofit organization stopped product sales after they were told about these illnesses. A press release from … [Read more...]
Utah Raw Milk Campylobacter Outbreak Sickens 14; 1 Hospitalized
A Utah raw milk Campylobacter outbreak has sickened at least 14 people with one person hospitalized, according to the Salt Lake County Health Department. Ten of those patients who live in that county have been diagnosed with campylobacteriosis. And there are another four people in other areas of the state who are also sick. Eight of those 10 patients who live in Salt Lake County confirmed that they drank raw milk before they got sick. And all of the patients who live elsewhere in the state confirmed they drank raw milk before illness onset. The patient age range is from 2 to 73 years. One person was hospitalized, and is now recovering at home. The source of the raw milk that caused these illnesses remains under investigation. There have been many outbreaks linked to raw milk … [Read more...]
Healthy Harvest Farm Raw Milk Outbreak in MN Sickens at Least 8
A Healthy Harvest Farm raw milk outbreak in Minnesota has sickened at least eight people, according to the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH). Eight people are sick with cryptosporidiosis and one patient has cryptosporidiosis and an E. coli O111:48 infection at the same time. Healthy Harvest Farm and Kitchen is located in Hillman, Minnesota. Officials are urging anyone who bought milk from that farm to discard it and not drink it. The milk may be labeled as "natural A2 milk," and consumers may not be aware that the milk is unpasteurized, or raw. The people who are sick with Cryptosporidium parvum, a parasite commonly found in cattle, have related subtypes, suggesting a common source. All of those who are ill with this pathogen started getting sick in early August. They all … [Read more...]
Tennessee E. coli Raw Milk Outbreak Sickened Two Infants
A Tennessee E. coli raw milk outbreak sickened two infants in 2022, according to a study conducted by the Centers For Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and published in their weekly Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. One of the babies developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) and became seriously ill. The milk was sold through a cow-share arrangement, since raw milk, or unpasteurized dairy, sales through retail outlets are illegal in that state. The two infants, who were 10 months old at the time, got sick on July 25 and August 1, 2022. Stool specimens tested positive for Shiga toxin-producing E. coli bacteria (STEC) by polymerase chain reaction. One of the infants developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a type of kidney failure, and was hospitalized for 27 days. The … [Read more...]
Campylobacter Outbreak in UK Linked to Raw Milk
At least 56 people are sick in the United Kingdom with Campylobacter infections after drinking raw milk purchased from a vending machine on a farm. The patient age range is from one year to 86 years. Sales of raw milk from that farm were suspended after the outbreak was discovered. A judge banned the farm from selling any more of its unpasteurized milk last week. The farm is Low Sizergh Barn Farm in Kendal, UK. The raw cow milk was recalled in December 2016 after the outbreak was first announced. According to news sources, the farms' owner allegedly knew that the milk contained bacteria but kept selling it. The number of registered farms that produce and sell raw milk in the UK has decreased in the last 20 years from 570 to 100. It is illegal to sell raw milk and cream in … [Read more...]
Cryptosporidiosis Outbreak Associated with Raw Milk in TN
The Tennessee Department of Health (TDH) is investigating multiple gastrointestinal disease reports among people who consumed raw milk before they got sick. Two cases of cryptosporidiosis have been confirmed in people who live in the Chattanooga/Hamilton County Region. Both cases are associated with raw milk consumption from a dairy cow share program. In the last few months, other individuals have been interviewed about sporadic cases of Campylobacter and Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC), who also drank raw milk from different sources. TDH Commissioner Dr. John Dreyzehener said, "Consuming raw milk in the belief it's healthier than pasteurized milk is a perilous risk that shakes off the possibility of a range of serious and occasionally fatal illnesses for the individuals and … [Read more...]
Campylobacter in 3 Orange County Children
Three Orange County children, all under the age of 5, were diagnosed with Campylobacter infections, according to a report in the Orange County Register. One of them was hospitalized. All tests on Claravale Farm raw milk were negative for Campylobacter, Food Poisoning Bulletin has been informed. In April, the California Department of Food and Agriculture issued a recall of Claravale Farm raw milk products for possible Campylobacter contamination. The owners of the farm posted a notice on its website saying that between the recall and two lawsuits filed by former employees they were at risk of losing their business. Campylobacter is bacteria that is transferred via the fecal-oral route, meaning those who develop Campylobacter infections have ingested microscopic amounts of animal … [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...]
Study Finds Raw Milk Benefits Do Not Outweigh Risks
A study conducted by the Department of Environmental Health Services at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and Johns Hopkins Center for a Livable Future has found that the benefits of consuming raw milk do not outweigh the risks. The study was done for the Maryland General Assembly as they consider a bill to legalize the on-farm sale of unpasteurized milk in that state. The study, which was completed in December 2014 but just released to the public, states, "Overall, our review identified no evidence that the potential benefits of consuming raw milk outweigh the known risks." The bill, House Bill 3 was introduced to the Maryland House of Delegates during the 2014 session. The researchers looked at the scientific literature for studies regarding health benefits and risks … [Read more...]
