Newly issued state records disclose that dozens of salmonella diseases have been traced to raw milk from a California farm, signifying a much larger epidemic than formerly understood.
Largest Decade's Salmonella Outbreak Linked to Fresno Raw Farm
As of February, records signify that at least 165 people have contracted salmonella contaminations from products of Raw Farm in Fresno, California. Health officials verified this is the largest recorded salmonella epidemic connected to raw milk in the U.S. in the last ten years.
The revelation of the outbreak's extent coincides with health officials advising the public to avoid unpasteurized milk due to the circulation of a bird flu virus, Type A H5N1, in U.S. dairy cows. This virus has been detected in more than 140 U.S. dairy herds, and federal health officials have reported high levels of it in raw milk.
State and local health officials had not provided an update on the full scale of the salmonella outbreak since October when San Diego officials reported approximately a dozen cases. During that period, Raw Farm initiated a voluntary recall of milk and heavy cream sold from October 11 to November 6.
Despite initial reports, cases continued to rise, according to documents obtained by Bill Marler, a Seattle food safety lawyer. Marler represents 16 clients who were reportedly sickened in the outbreak.
Investigators linked samples from the sick individuals to those from the farm and a retail store. Over 60% of confirmed infection cases involved people who had consumed Raw Farm products.
The outbreak affected individuals in four states, with 162 cases occurring in California. Furthermore, four individuals with salmonella were also infected with campylobacter and/or harmful E. coli bacteria.
Almost 40% of the cases were recorded in children under five. Twenty people were hospitalized, but no demises were recorded.
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California Officials Conduct Investigation and Notify Public of Outbreak
California health officials reported on Wednesday that they carried out a thorough investigation in partnership with local teams and state agriculture officials.
They informed the public about the outbreak via an October recall notice and social media updates in October, November, and December. Officials stated the outbreak ended on May 4, though it's unclear if additional cases were reported after February.
Mark McAfee, the owner of Raw Farm, acknowledged that his products were linked to the outbreak. He mentioned that a single cow was infected with salmonella last fall and was subsequently removed from the herd. In response to the outbreak, he implemented additional testing protocols.
Jessie McGee, 35, from San Pedro, California, plans to sue Raw Farm after her 6-year-old daughter was hospitalized in October with a confirmed infection linked to the outbreak.
McGee explained that she had read about the supposed health benefits of raw milk online and began consuming Raw Farm products, also giving them to her daughter and 2-year-old twins.
All three children and McGee fell ill, with her older daughter experiencing the most severe symptoms, including high fever and stomach cramps.
Following this experience, McGee has decided to stop drinking unpasteurized milk. She stated that none of the potential benefits of the milk are worth the risks involved.
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