The Salt Lake County Health Department is advising the public to consume only pasteurized milk due to an outbreak of the diarrheal bacterial infection known as campylobacteriosis. This outbreak occurred after individuals consumed raw milk. Dr. Katherine Baumgarten, medical director for infection control and prevention at Ochsner Health, stated that campylobacteriosis is a common bacterial illness with multiple sources of outbreaks. In Salt Lake County, ten people developed campylobacteriosis from consuming raw milk. Additionally, four more cases were found in other parts of the state, all linked to raw milk consumption. The source of the contaminated raw milk is currently under investigation. The report also noted that raw milk can contain other harmful bacteria, including Salmonella, Listeria, and E. coli. It can be difficult to differentiate between raw milk with disease-causing bacteria and uncontaminated raw milk because there are no noticeable differences in smell or appearance. Grocery stores in Utah are only permitted to sell pasteurized dairy products.
Raw milk or raw milk products can only be sold directly to consumers in Utah from 16 licensed farms, three of which are located in Salt Lake County. However, grocery stores in the state can only sell pasteurized dairy products. The report provided guidelines for handling raw milk, including heating it to 165 degrees Fahrenheit for at least 15 seconds and refrigerating it at or below 40 degrees Fahrenheit.
Utah has experienced 25 outbreaks of campylobacteriosis related to raw milk consumption since 2009, resulting in nearly 300 illnesses. The CDC reports that campylobacteriosis is the most common cause of a diarrheal illness caused by bacteria in the U.S., affecting approximately 1.5 million people each year. Symptoms include diarrhea, fever, nausea, and vomiting. The disease is commonly contracted through raw or undercooked poultry but can also be obtained from seafood, meat, produce, untreated water, or raw, unpasteurized milk.
The CDC emphasizes that the disease does not typically spread from person to person. It is more prevalent in the summer, and only a small amount of campylobacter bacteria is needed to cause illness. People who have recently consumed raw milk and are experiencing symptoms should contact their healthcare provider. Recovery usually occurs within a week, but some individuals may require antibiotics. Complications can include irritable bowel syndrome, temporary paralysis, and arthritis. The disease can be life-threatening for immunocompromised individuals. Baumgarten recommends staying hydrated and taking precautions when handling raw chicken to avoid infections like campylobacteriosis. For more health information, visit www.foxnews.com/health.
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