Did Massachusetts Man Contract Brucella Infection From Raw MIlk?
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.
