Miller's Biodiversity Farm raw milk and dairy products have been quarantined by public health officials because they may contain a strain of Brucella abortus (RB 51), according to a notice from the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture (PDA). The farm is located in Harrisburg, Lancaster county. The press release was dated 12/22/2018. The Department has not posted an update on this issue. The PDA has issued an order of quarantine to stop the sale of dairy products made from raw cow's milk while an investigation is ongoing. Pasteurized dairy products from Miller's Biodiversity Farm are safe to consume. The quarantine applies only to this farm. One person in New York state has been diagnosed with RB51, and that illness was confirmed by the Centers for Disease Control and … [Read more...]
Miller’s Biodiversity Farm Raw Milk Products in Harrisburg PA Quarantined for Brucella
Salmonella Outbreak Linked to Pot ‘O Gold Dairy Raw Milk in Bear Lake, PA
A Salmonella outbreak has been linked to raw milk from Pot 'O Gold Dairy Specialties in Bear Lake, Warren County. That dairy is located in Pennsylvania. The Pennsylvania State Department of Agriculture released information about the outbreak late yesterday. So far, nine cases of Salmonella food poisoning have been diagnosed and confirmed. The press release did not state the ages of the patients, whether or not anyone has been hospitalized, or the illness onset dates. The raw whole milk was sold in glass half gallon containers with the Pot 'O Gold label at 16 stores in these counties: Erie, Crawford, McKean, Warren, and Venango. The milk that was sold from September 10, 2018 to the present is part of this recall. The milk was sold at these Crawford County facilities: Buck and … [Read more...]
E. coli Outbreak Linked to WA Dungeness Valley Creamery Raw Milk Sickens Two; Lawsuits Possible
An E. coli outbreak that sickened a child under the age of 5 and a person in their 70s is linked to raw milk from Dungeness Valley Creamery raw milk in Olympia, Washington. The child lives in Island county and the older adult lives in Clallam County. The press release from the Washington State Department of Health states that they got sick "with an E. coli infection after drinking Dungeness Valley Creamery raw milk." Dr. Scott Lindquist, Washington state communicable disease epidemiologist, said in a statement, "Raw milk doesn’t go through the pasteurization process where harmful germs and bacteria are destroyed. This puts infants, young children, the elderly, pregnant women and those with a weakened immune system at a greater risk of illness when they drink it." Food safety … [Read more...]
Tennessee E. coli Outbreak That Sickened 15 Children Had Two Sources; Lawsuits Possible
The E. coli O157 outbreak in Knox County, Tennessee that sickened fifteen children had two sources, according to the Knox County Health Department. Fifteen confirmed cases were reported to KCHD in the last several weeks in this Tennessee E. coli outbreak. Nine of those children were hospitalized because they were so sick in this Tennessee E. coli outbreak. Seven patients developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a type of kidney failure. Of the children who were hospitalized, one remains in fair condition at Tennessee Children's Hospital. Lab reports confirmed that two different strains of E. coli O157 bacteria caused these illnesses. KCHD Director Dr. Martha Buchanan said in a statement, "“While it is rare, it appears we had two sets of children sickened by two different strains … [Read more...]
E. coli Outbreak Associated with Raw Milk and Farm Animals in TN Updated; Lawsuits May Be Filed
The E. coli O157 outbreak associated with raw milk and contact with farm animals in Tennessee has been updated by the Knox County Health Department. Public health officials are investigating any potential connections between these two likely sources, and it is possible that there are two unrelated E. coli clusters. At least ten children have been sickened in this outbreak. The health department is conducting extensive interviews with the families of the ill children. They are also contacting people who may be at risk to see if anyone in that household is ill, examining all potential sources; plotting symptom onset to aid in determining the first case in this outbreak, potential exposures and the type of outbreak; analyzing the statistical significance of the findings; and collecting … [Read more...]
E. coli O157 Outbreak in Tennessee Updated by Knox County Health Department; Lawsuits May Be Filed
The E. coli O157 outbreak in Tennessee associated with raw milk and contact with farm animals has been updated by the Knox County Health Department. The media release states, "To date, more than 10 cases of E. coli O157 have been reported to KCHD all are among young children. No new E. coli cases were reported over the weekend. However the incubation period for E. coli is two to 10 days." At least four of those children have been hospitalized; all have hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a type of kidney failure. The common link among most of the sick children in this E. coli O157 outbreak is raw milk from French Broad Farm, a local cow-share dairy in Knox County. Public health officials are advising the public not to consume raw ilk or any other unpasteurized products they may have … [Read more...]
E. coli O157 Outbreak Associated with Raw Milk in Knox County, TN; Several Attended A Kids Place; Lawsuits Possible
The Knox County Health Department is still investigating a cluster of E. coli O157 cases in children that are "likely associated" with consumption of raw milk and contact with farm animals. More than 10 illnesses have been reported to the KCHD. All are among children. One new development is that several of those sick children attended A Kids Place, a childcare facility in Mascot, Tennessee. Last week a report was received telling officials about that illness. KCHD reviewed the case lab report. The news update states, "Several other cases reported attending A Kids Place, Inc. During the investigation, exposure to ruminant farm animals was identified as a potential source of infection. All cases were among an age group that was housed in one portion of the facility. That portion is … [Read more...]
E. coli O157 Outbreak HUS in Tennessee Associated with Raw Milk, Animals at French Broad Farm in Knoxville; Lawsuits May Be Filed
An E. coli O157 outbreak in the Knoxville, Tennessee area has sickened several children and has hospitalized four. Most of the children are "known to have consumed raw milk from a local cow-share dairy," according to a media release issued by the Knox County Health Department (KCHD). Because of this outbreak, KCHD is advising the public not to consume any raw milk or any other unpasteurized products from French Broad Farm in Knoxville, Tennessee at this time. Public health officials are also recommending that consumers discard all raw milk and any unpasteurized products they may have purchased from this farm. It's a good idea to clean your fridge well with a mild bleach solution after you discard the raw milk. The farm is not currently operating, so any further exposure to farm … [Read more...]
Raw Milk From Conoco View Dairy in Blain, PA Recalled for Possible Campylobacter
Raw whole milk from Conoco View Dairy in Blain, in Perry County Pennsylvania is being recalled for possible Campylobacter contamination, according to a press release issued by the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture. Tests completed during routine sampling found the pathogenic bacteria. The plastic half gallon and gallon containers of the whole milk were sold in Perry County at Newport Health Foods, Leid’s Market, Skyline Market, Mountain Supply, and The Pantry, and at Castle Creek Farm in York County. The on-farm market sold the milk in glass half gallon containers. The milk has a sell by date of February 16, 2018. No confirmed reports of illness have been received to date in connection with this recall. Raw milk can be contaminated with pathogenic bacteria such as … [Read more...]