Health officials said the majority of people who were sick reported drinking raw milk from two different milking operations in the north and south of the state
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NEED TO KNOW
- Almost 60 people have fallen sick after drinking non-pasteurized milk, health officials in Idaho revealed on Wednesday, June 3
- The Idaho Department of Health and Welfare confirmed at least 45 people tested positive for the bacterial infection, campylobacteriosis
- The majority of people fell unwell after drinking raw milk from two different milking operations in Idaho, health officials stated
Dozens of people in Idaho have fallen sick after drinking raw milk.
On Wednesday, June 3, the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare stated in a release that since May 19, almost 60 people had been sickened following the consumption of unpasteurized milk.
Health officials added that “at least 45 of those people tested positive for campylobacteriosis, a bacterial infection, although not everyone who is sick was tested.”
The majority of the people who fell unwell “reported consuming raw milk from two different milking operations – one in northern Idaho and one in southern Idaho,” per the release.
Authorities are working to identify the suspected “batches of concern.”
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“Both milking operations are working in collaboration with DHW and local public health agencies to identify and fix any potential sources of contamination,” the release continued.
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“Raw, unpasteurized dairy products can contain bacteria that make people sick, particularly young children, pregnant women, the elderly, and those who are immunocompromised,” officials added. “Pasteurization kills nearly all the germs that can exist in raw milk while maintaining nutritional benefits.”
A Campylobacter infection, which is also known as campylobacteriosis, is a common cause of diarrhea, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
In addition to raw milk, an infection can occur from undercooked poultry, as well as untreated water, per the clinic. Illness can also develop if a person comes into close contact with an infected animal.
People can usually recover in around a week without treatment, according to the clinic.
“Common symptoms of campylobacteriosis infection include diarrhea (sometimes bloody), fever, stomach cramps, nausea and/or vomiting,” the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare stated in its June 3 release.
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They added, “Symptoms usually start two to five days after exposure and last about one week; some people may develop complications that last longer. Anyone who is experiencing symptoms after consuming raw milk or raw milk products is encouraged to promptly seek medical care.”
In February, PEOPLE reported that nine people, including two children, had been hospitalized in Idaho's Ada County with complications of E. coli infections after drinking raw milk.
Laboratory testing at the time confirmed the presence of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli, or (STEC). It's “one of the most potent bacterial toxins known,” the National Library of Medicine said.
“Two children are hospitalized with hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a rare but serious complication of E. coli infection that can lead to kidney failure and long-term health problems. One case has laboratory-confirmed STEC infection; the second is epidemiologically linked based on reported consumption of the same brand of raw milk as other confirmed cases,” the Central District Health officials stated in a release.
The people who fell sick reported drinking raw milk from R Bar H, health officials said.
Following the outbreak, the milk producer pulled their products from shelves and suspended production while the investigation into the source of the contamination was underway.
The incident came after another outbreak in Idaho in November, where 26 people — including six children under the age of 12 — had been sickened after drinking raw milk.
“In Idaho, raw milk can be sold legally through multiple outlets, but it is not required to be tested for bacteria such as Campylobacter, E. coli or other disease-causing agents,” officials noted.
PEOPLE reached out to the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare for further comment.
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