State officials in Idaho are investigating an outbreak of campylobacter infections linked to raw, unpasteurized milk.
The Idaho Department of Health and Welfare reports that 60 patients have been identified with at least 45 of them specifically testing positive for campylobacteriosis. All 60 of the patients consumed raw milk before becoming sick.
The health department has identified two dairies as sources of the implicated unpasteurized milk, but has not yet named them. One of them is in northern Idaho and other one is in southern Idaho.
The first sick person was identified on May 19. Investigation and interviews of people reported as ill are ongoing and additional illness may be identified.
Investigation is ongoing to identify potential batches of concern and test milk samples. Both milking operations are working in collaboration with the state health department and local public health agencies to identify and fix any potential sources of contamination.
“Raw, unpasteurized dairy products can contain bacteria that make people sick, particularly young children, pregnant women, the elderly, and those who are immunocompromised. Pasteurization kills nearly all the germs that can exist in raw milk while maintaining nutritional benefits,” according to the state health department.
The Idaho Division of Public Health is collaborating with Panhandle District Health, Southwest District Health, Central District Health, Southeastern Idaho Public Health, South Central Public Health, and Eastern Idaho Public Health on the investigation.
Raw milk is a known source of bacteria, including Listeria, Salmonella, E. coli, and campylobacter. All such pathogens are destroyed by pasteurization, which heats milk to 161 degrees F for 15 seconds.
According to research done at the University of Delaware, compared with consumers of pasteurized dairy products, people who drink raw milk are 840 times more likely to experience an illness and 45 times more likely to be hospitalized.