HUS Caused by Raw Milk in Connecticut
E. coli in raw milk caused an outbreak of hemolytic uremic syndrome HUS in Connecticut in 2008 that has been studied by epidemiologists who have written a research paper on the topic.
On July 16, 2008, the Connecticut Department of Public Health identified two unrelated children who had experienced hemolytic uremic syndrome after consuming raw milk from the same farm. The authors investigated the situation further and found 12 more cases of people affected by raw milk from the same farm. The details of their study are chronicled in the December 15 issue of Clinical Infectious Diseases.
Led by Dr. Alice Guh of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the group identified 14 cases, seven of which were confirmed through genetic fingerprint testing. Five case patients required hospitalization and a total of three experienced HUS. No deaths were reported. E. coli O157:NM outbreak strains were isolated from stool specimens of 6 case patients and 1 milking cow. The total estimated outbreak cost was $413,402.
"Despite acceptable regulation milking standards and sanitation procedures (at the farm), it is believed that fecal contamination from an asymptomatic cow occurred during milking or the handling of milk'' causing the outbreak, the researchers stated.
