Delaware Reports Food Poisoning in Two Who Consumed Raw Dairy Products
Two Delaware residents who consumed raw dairy products are recovering from bacterial illnesses, the Delaware Division of Public Health announced.
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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.
