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Outbreak
Raw milk from Healthy Harvest Farm & Kitchen linked to Cryptosporidiosis/E. Coli Outbreak
2 years ago •source health.state.mn.us • business
6831 355th Avenue, Hillman, 56338 Minnesota, United States
The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) is investigating a food-borne disease outbreak linked to raw milk from Healthy Harvest Farm and Kitchen in Hillman, Minnesota. The product, potentially labeled as natural A2 milk, is linked to 8 cases of cryptosporidiosis and 1 case of E. coli O111:H8 illness.The illnesses have been caused by Cryptosporidium parvum, a parasite commonly found in cattle. The cases have related subtypes of Cryptosporidium parvum, suggesting a common source. All patients reported having consumed the mentioned raw milk before falling sick. Among the affected include 4 children under ten, 1 of whom is hospitalized. One individual was diagnosed with both Cryptosporidium parvum and E. coli 0111:H8 infections concurrently. It's noteworthy that multiple germ infections are a common occurrence in raw milk outbreaks.
Carrie Klumb, a senior epidemiologist at MDH, stated, "Cattle can naturally carry Cryptosporidium and E. coli in their digestive system and shed these germs in their manure even though the animal is not sick. Contamination of the milk with manure can occur during the milking process, and the germs won't be killed if the milk is not pasteurized."
People infected with Cryptosporidium generally develop watery diarrhea, stomach cramps, loss of appetite and weight loss approximately a week after consuming contaminated foods or touching infected animals. The illness typically lasts for two weeks but symptoms may go in cycles in which people seem to get better for a few days and then feel worse again before the illness ends.
Symptoms of E. coli infections typically include stomach cramps and diarrhea, including bloody diarrhea. People typically become ill two to five days after consuming contaminated food. In some cases, people may develop severe illness that leads to hospitalization. Children under the age of 5 years old, adults over the age of 65 years old and those with weakened immune systems are most at risk.
The MDH urges anyone who may have recently purchased milk from Healthy Harvest Farm and Kitchen to discard the product and not consume it. The milk may be labeled natural A2 milk, and consumers may be unaware that the milk has not been pasteurized.
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