A significant salmonella outbreak tied to raw milk from a California farm has affected far more people than initially reported, according to recently released state records. At least 165 individuals have fallen ill with salmonella infections linked to products from Raw Farm in Fresno, California, as of February this year. This outbreak is now considered the largest reported salmonella incident associated with raw milk in the United States over the past decade, according to abcnews.com.
Salmonella is a bacterium that can cause severe gastrointestinal illness in humans. Symptoms typically include diarrhea, fever, and stomach cramps, appearing six hours to six days after exposure to the bacteria. While most people recover without specific treatment, the infection can be severe, especially for young children, the elderly, and individuals with weakened immune systems.
The revelation of the outbreak’s true scale comes at a critical time when health officials are warning the public to avoid unpasteurized milk due to the circulation of the bird flu virus (Type A H5N1) in U.S. dairy cows. This virus has been detected in over 140 dairy herds across the country, with health authorities reporting high levels in raw milk.
Initially, in October, officials in San Diego reported about a dozen cases, prompting Raw Farm to issue a voluntary recall of milk and heavy cream sold between October 11 and November 6. However, the number of cases continued to rise.
The outbreak’s severity is underscored by the fact that over 60% of interviewed individuals with confirmed infections reported consuming Raw Farm products. The majority of cases (162) were in California, with infections spreading to three other states. Alarmingly, nearly 40% of the illnesses affected children under 5 years old, with 20 people requiring hospitalization.
Mark McAfee, owner of Raw Farm, acknowledged the outbreak, attributing it to a single infected cow that was subsequently removed from the herd. He stated that additional testing protocols have been implemented after the incident.
The outbreak has led to legal action, with at least one family planning to sue Raw Farm after their 6-year-old daughter was hospitalized with an infection tied to the contaminated raw milk.
Commenting on this article, one national food safety attorney said, “There are risks associated with consuming raw, unpasteurized dairy products. I recommend that consumers exercise caution and prioritize food safety in their dietary choices. This included, in my opinion, staying away from raw milk products.”
Health officials continue to monitor both the salmonella outbreak and the spread of bird flu in dairy herds.
