Family Cow Dairy - Largest Campylobacter Outbreak in Pennsylvania

Posted by Campylobacter Attorney on February 25, 2012

milk-2201dc1b485885c6.jpgThe number of people who became sick with an intestinal infection after drinking raw milk from a Franklin County farm continues to rise.

As of today, the Pennsylvania Department of Health said 78 cases of campylobacter bacteria are connected to unpasteurized milk sold in mid-January by The Family Cow dairy in Chambersburg.

The department says it is the largest foodborne outbreak related to raw milk in the state.

Of the cases, 68 people were sickened in Pennsylvania, five in Maryland, two in New Jersey and three in West Virginia. At least nine people were hospitalized, state Department of Health spokeswoman Holli Senior said.

Your Family Cow Campylobacter Outbreak - Biggest in Pennsylvania History?

Posted by Campylobacter Lawyer on February 17, 2012

Another day, another update, and more people sick.  The number ill in the campylobacter outbreak has now reportedly risen to 77: 

Pennsylvania Department of Health officials said Thursday that the total number of cases continued to increase. The department has identified 67 cases in Pennsylvania, five in Maryland, two in New Jersey and three in West Virginia.

“This outbreak has now become the largest outbreak associated with raw milk in Pennsylvania in at least the past two decades,” health department spokeswoman Holli Senior wrote in an email.

Time to cue the comments denying that this (and other outbreaks) even exist.   There is a debate to be had in balancing public health and consumer's choices.  That debate can't start until those advocating for legality of raw milk confront the facts.

76 Cases Counted in Your Family Cow Dairy Campylobacter Outbreak

Posted by Campylobacter Lawyer on February 15, 2012

raw milk.jpgThe Pennsylvania Department of Health announced today that 76 people have now been confirmed to be part of the Your Family Cow dairy Campylobacter outbreak. At least 9 people have been hospitalized due to the severity of their Campylobacter infections.

The new breakdown of illnesses by state is as follows: Pennsylvania (66 illnesses), Maryland (5), West Virginia (3), New Jersey (2).

At least 2 bottles of raw milk sold by the dairy have tested positive for the presence of Campylobacter.

Your Family Cow Dairy Raw Milk Update - 60 Campylobacter Illnesses

Posted by Campylobacter Lawyer on February 11, 2012

cow.png60 people have now been counted among the ill in the outbreak of Campylobacter illnesses linked to raw milk from Your Family Cow dairy in Chambersburg, PA.  The latest numbers from the Pennsylvania Department of Health were reported on Food Safety News.

Last Tuesday, the dairy resumed production after passing a state health inspection.  At that time the number of reported illnesses stood at 43. The latest breakdown of illnesses by state is as follows:

Pennsylvania (51 illnesses), Maryland (4), West Virginia (3), New Jersey (2).

In its February 3 update on the outbreak, the Pennsylvania health department said that approximately half of 36 confirmed cases were individuals under the age of 18.

"Your Family Cow" Raw Milk Campylobacter Update - Now 43 Ill

Posted by Campylobacter Lawyer on February 06, 2012

cow.pngThe outbreak of campylobacter that has been linked by health officials to Your Family Cow dairy in Franklin County, Pennsylvania has now risen to 43.  Late last week the number was at 38 confirmed ill.  According to a report the breakdown of illnesses is: 36 people in Pennsylvania, four in Maryland, two in West Virginia, and one in New Jersey.

And while the owners of the farm have issued an apology, it does not appear that they have been deterred from selling unpasteurized milk:

Meanwhile, the state Agriculture Department said the farm passed a final inspection late Monday afternoon and has been cleared to resume production and bottling of raw milk.

The legality of selling unpasteurized milk products varies from state to state.  For further information see www.realrawmilkfacts.com.

Update - Raw Milk Campylobacter Outbreak Reaches 38, Now in Four States

Posted by Campylobacter Lawyer on February 03, 2012

The Family Cow Raw MilkPennsylvania health officials have updated the number of reported ill in the outbreak of campylobacter linked to Your Family Cow Dairy, located in that state.   The ill persons, though, are now found in four states, Pennsylvania (31), Maryland (4), West Virginia (2), and New Jersey (1). 

Earlier in the week Maryland officials reported that they had isolated the  strain of campylobacter also isolated from ill persons who consumed the milk in two unopened raw milk samples from the homes of customers.

Maryland Health Officials Confirm Presence of Campylobacter in Raw Milk

Posted by Campylobacter Lawyer on February 02, 2012

raw milk.jpg

Press says as many as 35 sick.

There was more evidence today that an outbreak of campylobacter illnesses was linked to the Family Cow dairy in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania.  The Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DHMH) Laboratories Administration has confirmed the presence of Campylobacter jejuni in two unopened raw milk samples purchased from this farm.

MDHMH reports that there are now 23 confirmed outbreak-related campylobacteriosis cases: 4 in Maryland and 19 in Pennsylvania, all of whom consumed raw milk from The Family Cow Farm.

Raw milk has been connected in the past to other campylobacter outbreaks, as well as outbreaks of E. coli O157:H7.  For more information on the pros and cons of raw, or unpasteurized milk, see www.realrawmilkfacts.com