Raw milk consumption linked to 21 E. Coli cases reported in Florida

Raw milk consumption linked to 21 E. Coli cases reported in Florida

Raw Milk Outbreak in Florida Linked to Bacterial Infections

A recent outbreak of illnesses in Florida has been linked to the consumption of raw milk, with 21 cases of Campylobacter and Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) infections reported. This outbreak has resulted in seven hospitalizations and severe complications in at least two cases, with six of the reported cases being children under 10 years old.

The Florida Department of Health has identified poor sanitation and milking practices on the implicated farm as a key issue contributing to contamination and outbreaks. Raw milk, which has not undergone pasteurization, can contain harmful bacteria such as Campylobacter, E. coli (including STEC), Listeria, Salmonella, and others.

In Florida, raw milk is sold only for non-human consumption as pet or animal food, limiting sanitation regulation efforts. However, despite these restrictions, some consumers still ingest raw milk, leading to ongoing risk.

The gastrointestinal symptoms associated with these infections include diarrhea, vomiting, and stomach cramps. In severe cases, STEC infections can lead to hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a severe complication causing kidney failure. Groups at higher risk of severe illness include young children, pregnant women, elderly people, and immunocompromised individuals.

The sanitation practices in this specific farm are of concern due to the number of cases. Because raw milk can harbor multiple dangerous bacteria, good farm hygiene and milking procedures are critical to prevent contamination. Despite restrictions on raw milk for human consumption, enforcement gaps allow risk to persist through illegal or unregulated use.

From 2009 to 2021, 143 outbreaks in the U.S. were linked to raw milk consumption, indicating a recurrent public health hazard. Pasteurization remains the effective prevention method against these infections.

[1] Florida Department of Health. (2022). Raw Milk Outbreak Investigation. Retrieved from https://www.floridahealth.gov/diseases-and-conditions/outbreaks/pages/raw-milk-outbreak-investigation.aspx

[2] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022). Raw Milk. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/foodsafety/rawmilk/index.html

[3] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022). Outbreaks Associated with Raw Milk. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/listeria/outbreaks/raw-milk-outbreaks.html

[4] Food and Drug Administration. (2022). Raw Milk. Retrieved from https://www.fda.gov/foods/buy-store-serve-safe-food/raw-milk

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