Upon Further Review, No Brucella Detected in Massachusetts Raw Milk

Posted on January 27, 2012 by PritzkerLaw

Massachusetts has lifted its ban on raw milk from Twin Rivers Farm in Ashley Falls after testing found no trace of brucella and the farm's owner received confirmation that his own illness was not Brucellosis.

The health alert was issued last week when the farm owner's doctor notified officials that preliminary tests were positive for brucellosis, a rare infection that starts with flu-like symptoms. Because raw milk can be an vector for this type of food poisoning, Massachusetts health officials erred on the safe side by alerting the public not to drink milk from the farm. Now the farm is cleared.

Robert Kilmer, owner of Twin Rivers Farm in Ashley Falls, told the Boston Globe the stigma of being considered to have something like brucellosis is terrible for a dairy owner. "We are very careful to keep any infectious disease out.”

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Brucella in Mass. Man who Drank Raw Milk

Posted on January 21, 2012 by PritzkerLaw

 An astute doctor recognized that persistent flu like symptoms in a Massachusetts man could be brucellosis, prompting state public health officials to investigate Twin Rivers Farm in Ashley Falls. The patient purchased raw milk from the farm in late December and officials are urging any other customers to discard the product. It is not sold at retail stores.

Brucellosis is an infectious disease primarily from animal to animal, but it can be acquired by humans through consumption of raw milk. The disease can become more serious and infect the central nervous system or organs and can cause long-lasting or chronic symptoms that include recurrent fevers, joint pain, and fatigue.

State epidemiologist Dr. Alfred DeMaria said no other human infections have been reported. Tests for the bacteria brucella in the man who is suspected of having the bug are expected to be complete next week.

Brucellosis is not very common in the United States, where 100 to 200 cases occur each year, but brucellosis can be very common in countries where animal disease control programs have not reduced the amount of disease among animals. The U.S. has worked hard to do that.
 

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Did Massachusetts Man Contract Brucella Infection From Raw MIlk?

Posted on January 21, 2012 by PritzkerLaw

A Massachusetts man diagnosed with brucellosis, also known as Malta Fever, may have contracted the infection after drinking raw milk.

Brucellosis is an infection caused by Brucellla, a bacteria that is usually transmitted from animal to animal, but can be transmitted to humans who consume raw milk, or milk that has not been pasteurized. It’s been decades since the bacteria has been found in Massachusetts livestock, agriculture officials said.

Investigators are still trying to determine the source of the infection and are not certain that it is raw milk. Results of preliminary tests to confirm the infection are expected back next week.

The patient purchased raw milk from Twin Rivers Farm in late December. The Western Massachusetts dairy, which only sells raw milk at its on-site store and does not distribute it to retail operations, has discontinued raw milk sales pending the test results. Health officials are urging anyone who bought raw milk on the farm to discard it.

Brucellosis is a rare disease, less than 200 cases occur in the U.S. each year, according the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

According to the Massachusetts Department of Health:

Brucellosis is a systemic disease with acute or insidious onset characterized by sustained, intermittent, or irregular fever of variable duration. Symptoms include headache, weakness, chills, profuse sweating, joint aches, depression, weight loss, and generalized aching. Localized and chronic localized infections of organs (including the liver and spleen) can occur.

Complications affecting the bones and joints are common (they occur in 20–60% of cases), with sacroiliitis occurring most frequently. Involvement of the genitourinary system, including orchitis and epididymitis, occurs in up to 20% of cases in males. Neurologic symptoms can occur in up to 5% of cases. The disease may last for days, months, or occasionally longer, if inadequately treated. Most cases recover, but some individuals develop significant disabilities. 

If you have legal questions about brucellosis, contact the foodborne illness attorneys at PritzkerOlsen P.A. for a free consultation.

 

 

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Delaware Reports Food Poisoning in Two Who Consumed Raw Dairy Products

Posted on June 14, 2010 by PritzkerLaw

Two Delaware residents who consumed raw  dairy products are recovering from bacterial illnesses, the Delaware Division of Public Health announced.

The first patient is a 58-year-old female from Castle County who contracted Brucellosis.The second case is a 44-year-old man from Sussex County who has Listeriosis. Besides consuming raw dairy products, the man with Listeria infection had been handling raw poultry products.

Both food poisoning victims were hospitalized and the man with Listeriosis is still admitted, but stable.

Delaware Public Health Director Dr. Karyl Rattay says the two case serve as a reminder for people to take precautions when handling animals or working with animal products. The director also cautioned against consumption of raw milk and dairy products, which can be contaminated with a range of pathogenic bacteria.
 
Brucellosis primarily affects farm workers, veterinarians and laboratory workers. The last confirmed case of Brucellosis in Delaware was in 2006 and it is not common in the United States. The health department said Brucellosis is most frequently transmitted by eating or drinking raw milk and cheese made with unpasteurized dairy products.
 
Signs and symptoms of Brucellosis and Listeriosis are similar to the flu. Treatment requires the administration of antibiotics. Depending on the timing of treatment and the severity of illness, recovery may take several weeks.
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