Tennessee Department of Health (TDH) is actively investigating multiple reports of gastrointestinal disease by people who say they consumed raw milk prior to their illness. TDH has confirmed two cases of cryptosporidiosis in the Chattanooga/Hamilton County Region. The illness link back to the consumption of raw milk from a dairy share program.
Because Williamson County has a large rural population and multiple dairy farms, this information is relevant to our community. Tennessean’s are advised to take precaution in the consumption of raw milk. TDH is conducting interviews with other people diagnosed with cases of Campylobacter and Shiga-toxin producing E. coli, who also reported consuming raw milk from different sources.
“Consuming raw milk in the belief it’s healthier than pasteurized milk is a perilous risk that shakes off the possibility of a range of serious and occasionally fatal illnesses for the individuals and anyone they share it with,” said TDH Commissioner John Dreyzehner, MD, MPH. “Our best choice for healthy, nutritious milk is the pasteurized kind. Even if one believes there are health benefits, an upside, is it worth gambling on the downside risk of a serious illness, especially in a child?”
Cow share programs were made legal in Tennessee in 2009, allowing wider access to raw milk. Since that time TDH has had increasing reports of disease and outbreaks linked to raw milk consumption. In 2013, nine Tennessee children became extremely sick with E. coli O157 after drinking raw milk. Five of these children required hospitalization and three developed severe, life-threatening kidney problems.
“The Department of Agriculture has a thorough dairy inspection program focused on detecting potential health risks before milk reaches the consumer,” Tennessee Department of Agriculture Commissioner Julius Johnson said. “Legal pasteurization through a licensed dairy facility is the only way to ensure that dairy products are safe to consume. Despite a producer’s best intentions, without pasteurization, bacteria exposure is a real danger.”
Harmful bacteria that can be found in unpasteurized milk from cows, goats and other mammals include Campylobacter, Cryptosporidium, E. coli and Salmonella. Common symptoms of illness from drinking contaminated raw milk include vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal cramps, headaches, fever and body aches. While some people sickened with these contaminants may respond to medical treatment, others may suffer irreversible organ damage or death.
To read the complete statement from the TDH, Tennessee Health News
For more information about raw milk safety and consumption: www.cdc.gov/foodsafety/rawmilk/raw-milk-index.html
Harmful bacteria that can be found in unpasteurized milk from cows, goats and other mammals include Campylobacter, Cryptosporidium, E. coli and Salmonella. Common symptoms of illness from drinking contaminated raw milk include vomiting, diarrhea and abdominal cramps.
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