Via MMWR: Outbreak of Fluoroquinolone-Resistant Campylobacter jejuni Infections Associated with Raw Milk Consumption from a Herdshare Dairy — Colorado, 2016. The summary:
What is already known about this topic?
Raw (unpasteurized) milk has been linked to many foodborne illnesses, including Campylobacter infections. In some states, including Colorado, it is legal to distribute unpasteurized milk through herdshare programs. Studies indicate that legalizing the sale of raw milk leads to more raw milk–associated outbreaks.
What is added by this report?
Although sale of raw milk is not legal in Colorado, herdshare programs, in which members may purchase a share of a herd of cows or goats, are legal and are not regulated by state or local authorities. During August–October 2016, 12 confirmed and five probable cases of Campylobacter jejuni infections were identified in persons who consumed raw milk from a herdshare dairy in Colorado. Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis identified the outbreak pattern in patients’ stools and two milk samples. Shareholders were notified about the outbreak, but the dairy was not ordered to close. This report highlights the public health challenges of addressing a high-risk product that is not regulated.
What are the implications for public health practice?
In states where distribution of raw milk from herdshares is legal, outbreaks associated with raw milk will likely continue to be a problem. The role of public health in implementing control measures associated with a product that is known to be unsafe should be further defined. State level guidelines might assist with this process.
