Family Cow Raw Milk Outbreak Sickens 51
At least 51 people in four states have contracted Campylobacter infections after drinking tainted raw milk produced by The Family Cow Farm in Chambersburg, Pa., according to the Pennsylvania Department of Health.
The strain of Campylobacter jejuni found in unopened samples of Family Cow raw milk matches the outbreak strain, lab tests have confirmed. For those who became ill, the onset of illness ranges from January 17 to January 30. The confirmed case count by state is as follows: 42 in PA, 4 in MD, 2 in NJ and 3 in WV
In Pennsylvania, the outbreak has spread through 11 counties. Confirmed case count by Pa. county is as follows: Adams (1), Allegheny (1), Bucks (3), Chester ( 2), Cumberland (3), Dauphin (1), Delaware (4), Franklin (18), Lancaster (5), Wyoming (1), York (3).
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The dairy resumed production on Monday after the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture released this statement: The Family Cow has passed a final inspection by the department of agriculture. They can resume production and bottling of raw milk. An inspection by the department will be conducted late today, February 6, 2012.
Symptoms of Campylobacter infection included diarrhea, cramping, abdominal pain, and fever. Symptoms usually appear two to five days after ingesting the organism. A culture of a stool sample is necessary to confirm the diagnosis. Most people who contract a Campylobacter infection, called campylobacteriosis, recover completely within 2 to 5 days, some Campylobacter infections can lead to serious complications including: meningitis, heart attack, hemolytic uremic syndrome, respritory distress, gall bladder inflammation, urinary tract infections, proctitis, arthritis, blood poisoning, severe dehydration and Guillain-Barrè syndrome, a type of paralysis.
If you have legal questions about and illness or hospitalization associated with this outbreal contact the food safety lawyers at PritzkerOlsen for a free consultation.
