Wisconsin Campylobacter Outbreak Due to Raw Milk
The state of Wisconsin is investigating to find the source of raw milk that has led to 13 confirmed cases of Campylobacter jejuni, a pathogen that has the potential to cause serious illness and even death.
More cases are expected to be confirmed soon, as there are other people sick in households where people are confirmed victims of the Campylobacter food poisoning. Tests are pending.
The announcement was made by the Wisconsin Department of Health Services and the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection. The onset of illnesses in this Campylobacter outbreak range from Aug. 14-20.
With Campylobacter, infections can be passed from one person to another.
Raw, or unpasteurized milk cannot be legally sold in the state of Wisconsin because of the chronic health risk posed by bacterial contamination -- usually stemming from the cow's feces or other animal feces. People get around the law sometimes by selling shares in a cow used for raw milk production. The theory is that if you own your own cow, you can do what you want with the milk.
State officials are cautioning residents in the southeastern area of Wisconsin, where the outbreak is occurring, to discard any unpasteurized milk they may have in their refrigerators.
National food safety law firm Pritzker Olsen attorneys has represented victims of Campylobacter who have suffered serious illness, including Guillain-Barre' Syndrome, a nerve cell condition that causes muscle weakness and in some cases paralysis. We urge any ill person who drank raw milk or believes they may have contracted Campylobacter from someone else to see a doctor.
Our law firm is involved in practically every major outbreak of foodborne illness and we are one of the few groups of lawyers in the country who practice extensively in the area of food poisoning. Over the years we have collected tens of millions of dollars for victims. A Campylobacter lawyer at our firm is ready to help you at 1-888-377-8900 (Toll Free). To receive a free case consultation from one of our attorneys via the internet, complete one of our online contact forms.
Campylobacter symptoms start with muscle pain, fever and headache. Those symptoms are followed by diarrhea, stomach pain and nausea. The first symptoms usually occur two to five days after infection.
The disease is one of the most common of all foodborne illnesses and healthy adults can often endure it without medical treatment. But young children, the elderly and people who have weakened immune systems are at higher risk for complications that could require hospitalization.
