Three of the seven were infected with a bacterium called camplyobacter jejuni and the other four were infected with a parasite, cryptosporidium parvum. "All seven reported drinking raw milk, and those who named a source said it was the Hartmann Dairy Farm." Testing confirmed that the bacterium and parasite in most of the affected people were genetically identical to samples taken from the farm this summer. "Cryptosporidium can be life threatening in people with weak immune systems."
Hartmann's farm was ordered by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture to stop selling all milk until the unsanitary conditions at the farm were remedied. "Nichole Neeser, who leads the dairy inspection program for the state Agriculture Department said the restriction remained in effect," but she could not comment further due to the ongoing investigation.
The issue of raw milk has created much controversy, with federal and state officials saying that raw milk carries diseases because it has not been through the pasteurization process, while others believe that pasteurization reduces the milk's nutritional value.
To read the AP story, click here.
Posted: 10/29/2010
