Idaho Public Health officials are investigating recent reports of 18 people who recently experienced symptoms of, and tested positive for, Campylobacter, and who also reported purchasing and drinking unpasteurized (raw) milk from Paradise Grove Dairy. The Idaho Division of Public Health is collaborating with Central District Health (CDH), Eastern Idaho Public Health (EIPH), and Idaho State Department of Agriculture (ISDA) in the ongoing investigation.

Since July 24, 18 people tested positive for campylobacteriosis, a bacterial infection. All 18 reported drinking raw milk, and 17 reported drinking raw milk produced by Paradise Grove Dairy in Jefferson County prior to getting sick. Paradise Grove Dairy distributes milk to numerous stores across southern Idaho. CDH and EIPH are conducting interviews with sick people.

Paradise Grove Dairy voluntarily stopped production Aug. 2, inspected and repaired equipment, and increased the frequency of milk testing, before resuming production Aug. 12. Anyone who bought raw milk produced by Paradise Grove Dairy from July 19 through Aug. 2 should stop drinking it and discard it immediately. Paradise Grove Dairy also reminded consumers to make sure they keep milk cold when taking it home from the store.

People at higher risk of severe illness after consuming raw dairy products include young children, pregnant women, the elderly, and those with compromised immune systems. People in these groups are encouraged to consume pasteurized dairy products.

Common symptoms of campylobacteriosis infection include diarrhea (often bloody), fever, stomach cramps, nausea and/or vomiting. Symptoms usually start two to five days after exposure and last about one week. Some people may develop complications that last longer. If you are experiencing similar symptoms after consuming raw milk or raw milk products from Paradise Grove Dairy, seek medical attention.

Audience

  • Restaurants and food retailers in California (CA), Connecticut (CT), Delaware (DE), Florida (FL) Maine (ME), Maryland (MD), Massachusetts (MA), Michigan (MI), Nevada (NV), New Hampshire (NH), New Jersey (NJ), New York (NY), Pennsylvania (PA), Vermont (VT), and Ontario, Canada that have recently purchased recalled Recompense Cove, Freeport, Maine oysters harvested between 6/19/2024 and 7/16/2024 from harvest areas CAS RC2 and CAS RCX.
  • Consumers in CA, CT, DE, FL, MA, MD, ME, MI, NH, NJ, NV, NY, PA, VT, and Ontario, Canada who have recently purchased recalled Recompense Cove, Freeport, ME oysters harvested between 6/19/2024 and 7/16/2024 from harvest areas CAS RC2 and CAS RCX.

Product

  • American/Eastern Oysters from Recompense Cove, Freeport, ME harvested between 6/19/2024 and 7/16/2024 from harvest areas CAS RC2 and CAS RCX. The oysters were distributed to restaurants and retailers in CA, CT, DE, FL, MA, MD, ME, MI, NH, NJ, NV, NY, PA, VT, and Ontario, Canada and may have been distributed to other states as well.

The following photo is included as an example shellfish tag that would be attached to containers for reference. The Harvest Date and Harvest Area fields would include the specific dates and harvest areas identified in the recall information as mentioned above.

Purpose

The FDA is advising restaurants and food retailers not to serve or sell and to dispose of oysters and consumers not to eat recalled Recompense Cove, Freeport, ME oysters harvested between 6/19/2024 and 7/16/2024 from harvest sites CAS RC2 and CAS RCX and shipped to distributors in CA, CT, DE, FL, MA, MD, ME, MI, NH, NJ, NV, NY, PA, VT, and Ontario, Canada because they may be contaminated with Campylobacter bacteria. Oysters may have been distributed to other states, as well.

Oysters contaminated with Campylobacter bacteria can cause illness if eaten raw, and potentially life-threatening illness in people with compromised immune systems. Food containing Campylobacter bacteria may look, smell, and taste normal. Consumers of these products who are experiencing symptoms of illness should contact their healthcare provider and report their symptoms to their local Health Department.

Symptoms of Campylobacter Illness

People with Campylobacter spp. illness usually have diarrhea (often bloody), fever, and stomach cramps. Nausea and vomiting may accompany the diarrhea. These symptoms usually start 2 to 5 days after the person ingests Campylobacter bacteria and last about one week.

Sometimes Campylobacter illness causes complications, such as irritable bowel syndrome, temporary paralysis, and arthritis.

In people with weakened immune systems, such as those with a blood disorder, with AIDS, or receiving chemotherapy, Campylobacter bacteria occasionally spread to the bloodstream and cause a life-threatening infection.

Summary of Problem and Scope

On 7/11/2023, the Maine Department of Marine Resources (ME DMR) notified the FDA of an outbreak of Campylobacter illnesses associated with the consumption of certain oysters from Recompense Cove, Freeport, ME. The ME DMR closed the CAS RC2 and CAS RCX harvest areas on 7/11/2024, recalled the oystersExternal Link Disclaimer harvested from those areas between 6/19/2024 and 7/16/2024, and notified receiving states of the recall. The oysters were distributed to CA, CT, DE, FL, MA, MD, ME, MI, NH, NJ, NV, NY, PA, VT, and Ontario, Canada and may have been distributed to other states, as well.

FDA Actions

The FDA is issuing this alert advising restaurants and food retailers not to serve or sell and consumers not to eat the recalled Recompense Cove, Freeport, ME oysters harvested between 6/19/2024 and 7/16/2024 from harvest sites CAS RC2 and CAS RCX and shipped to distributors in CA, CT, DE, FL, MA, MD, ME, MI, NH, NJ, NV, NY, PA, VT, and Ontario, Canada due to potential Campylobacter bacteria contamination. These oysters have been associated with a Campylobacter illness outbreak in ME. The FDA is in communication with ME and other states on distribution of the oysters and will continue to monitor the investigation and help state authorities as needed. As new information becomes available, the FDA will update the safety alert.

Recommendations for Restaurants and Retailers

Restaurants and retailers should not serve or sell the potentially contaminated oysters. Restaurants and retailers should dispose of any recalled products by throwing them in the garbage or returning them to their distributor for destruction.

Restaurants and retailers should also be aware that shellfish may be a source of pathogens and should control the potential for cross-contamination of food processing equipment and the food processing environment. They should follow the steps below:

  • Wash hands with warm water and soap following the cleaning and sanitation process.
  • Retailers, restaurants, and other food service operators who have processed and packaged any potentially contaminated products need to be concerned about cross-contamination of cutting surfaces and utensils through contact with the potentially contaminated products.
  • Retailers that have sold bulk product should clean and sanitize the containers used to hold the product.
  • Regular frequent cleaning and sanitizing of food contact surfaces and utensils used in food preparation may help to minimize the likelihood of cross-contamination.

Recommendations for Consumers

Consumers should not eat the potentially contaminated oysters. Consumers who have symptoms should contact their health care provider to report their symptoms and receive care.

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The Pennsylvania Departments of Agriculture and Health warn consumers that raw milk sold under the Pure Pastures Dairy label may be contaminated.

The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture tested samples of the raw milk sold by Apple Valley Creamery, which tested positive for Campylobacter. The Department of Health reports that one person who drank the milk became sick with campylobacteriosis.

The departments recommend that consumers immediately throw out raw milk with sell-by dates of April 3 through May 3.

Officials said that milk can become contaminated with harmful bacteria, such as Campylobacter if a cow has an udder infection or manure contamination during milking or storage. Pasteurization of milk effectively eliminates these health threats. 

The Department of Agriculture says the bacteria Campylobacter is unrelated to Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI). Pennsylvania continues its monitoring program for bird flu in poultry and has not detected the virus in any dairy cattle.

The Apple Valley Creamery Pure Pastures Dairy milk was sold in quart and half-gallon glass containers at the following locations:

Adams County:

  • Apple Valley Creamery, 541 Germany Rd, East Berlin
  • Butcher Block Premium Meats & Seafood, 3055 Biglerville Rd, Biglerville
  • D&S Produce, 888 Bushey School Rd, York Springs
  • Etheric Connections Crystal Shop & Natural Food Store, 1863 Gettysburg Village Dr, Suite 830, Gettysburg
  • Gateau Monique, 5 S Queen St, Littlestown
  • Good Keeper Farm, 250 Old State Rd, Gardners
  • Harvest Barn Country Market, 1924 York Rd, Gettysburg
  • Homegrown Marketplace, Fairfield
  • Taylor’s Greenhouse, 265 Fairgrounds Rd, Biglerville

Berks County:

  • The Deli Station, 845 Woodland Rd, Wyomissing
  • Goose Lane Egg Farm, 111 Goose Ln, Sinking Spring

Chester County:

  • September Farm, 5287 Horseshoe Pike, Honey Brook

Columbia County:

  • Millville Farm Market & Creamery, 650 N State St, Millville

Cumberland County:

  • Basehore Farm Market, 6080 Creekview Rd, Mechanicsburg
  • Oak Grove Farms, 846 Fisher Rd, Mechanicsburg
  • Rowan Tree Farm, 126 S Locust Point Rd, Mechanicsburg
  • Wenger Meats & Ice, 511 E Louther St, Carlisle
  • Union Mill Acres @ West Shore Farmer’s Market, 900 Market St, Lemoyne

Dauphin County:

  • Radish & Rye Food Hub, 1308 N 3rd St, Harrisburg
  • Strites’ Orchard Farm Market & Bakery, 1000 Strites Rd, Harrisburg

Perry County:

  • Butcher’s Farm Market, 590 N 4th St, Newport
  • Daimler’s Butcher Shop, 633 Numer Rd, Newport

Lancaster County:

  • Lemon Street Market, 241 W Lemon St, Lancaster

Lehigh County:

  • Cow Belle Home Delivery, Bethlehem

Northampton County:

  • Easton Public Market & Highmark Farmstand, 325 Northampton St, Easton
  • Johnsonville Farm & Garden, 154 Johnsonville Rd, Bangor

Union County:

  • Lewisburg Pharmacy, 50 N Second St, Lewisburg

York County:

  • Eden Garden Farm Market & Orchard, 810 Franklin Church Rd, Dillsburg
  • Mad Radish Farm, 1991 George St, Dover
  • Main Street Market, 12 Main St, Glen Rock
  • The Markets at Hanover, 1649 Broadway, Hanover
  • Trailside Bulk Foods @ Markets of Shrewsbury, 12025 Susquehanna Trl, Glen Rock
  • Miller’s Country Market, 1140 Abbotstown Pike, Hanover
  • Rowan Tree Farm @ Central Market York, 34 W Philadelphia St, York
  • Sonnewald Natural Foods, 4796 Lehman Rd, Spring Grove
  • Warrington Farm Meats, 156 Old Cabin Hollow Rd, Dillsburg
  • Wholly Holistic, 1150 Carlisle St, Ste 8, Hanover

About campylobacter infections

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, outbreaks have been associated with unpasteurized dairy products, contaminated water, poultry, and produce. People also can become infected from contact with dog or cat feces. Person-to-person spread of Campylobacter is uncommon.

Many people recover in a week, but Campylobacter infection can have long-term consequences, such as arthritis, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS).

Azithromycin and fluoroquinolones, such as ciprofloxacin, are commonly used for treatment, but resistance to fluoroquinolones is common.

Campylobacter infection symptoms usually begin two to five days after exposure and are characterized by diarrhea (frequently bloody), abdominal pain, fever, nausea, and sometimes vomiting. More severe illnesses can occur, including bloodstream infection and symptoms mimicking acute appendicitis or ulcerative colitis.

The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture warns consumers to immediately discard all Conoco View Dairy raw milk sold in Cumberland, Juniata, Perry, Snyder, and York Counties, or delivered direct to homes or drop-off points in Cumberland, Dauphin, Juniata, and Perry Counties. The Department ran tests after 11 reports of campylobacteriosis illnesses in December and January and confirmed Campylobacter contamination in the dairy’s products.

While the source of the bacteria is clear, every specific production date could not be pinpointed. All products, including those in consumers’ freezers, should be discarded.

Conoco View Dairy raw milk was sold in plastic pints, quart, and gallons, as well as glass quarts. Products were sold at the dairy’s retail outlet at 410 Clarks Run Road in Blain, Perry County and the retail locations below. The dairy also delivers their products directly to homes in Dauphin, Perry, and Juniata County and at drop-off points in Harrisburg, Carlisle, Enola, and Mechanicsburg. 

Cumberland County

Maple Lane Farm, Carlisle

Spring Garden Greenhouse Carlisle

Juniata County

Pallet Grocery, McAlisterville

Perry County 

Blain Market, Blain

Leids Market, Loysville 

Lighthouse Health Foods, Newport

Skyline Bargains, Newport

Snyder County

Whispering Pines Fruit Farm, Mount Pleasant Mills

York County

Castle Creek, Dillsburg

People with Campylobacter infections usually have diarrhea which is often bloody, fever, and stomach cramps, and may have nausea and vomiting. Symptoms usually start two to five days after infection and last about one week. Anyone who consumed the milk should consult their physicians if they become ill. 

Information about drinking raw milkOpens In A New Window can be found on the Centers for Disease Control website.

The FDA has warned about certain oysters harvested in Canada and sold in the United States because two people have become infected with Campylobacter jejuni.

On Dec. 18, the Utah Shellfish Authority notified the Food and Drug Administration of two cases of Campylobacter connected to consumption of oysters from British Columbia, Canada. The FDA has notified the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) of the illnesses, and the CFIA is investigating.  The two patients consumed oysters in Utah and Wisconsin, and the FDA is coordinating with the CFIA and state authorities to determine if any additional distribution occurred.

The FDA is awaiting further information from the CFIA on the distribution of the oysters and will continue to monitor the investigation and help state authorities as needed.

The FDA is advising restaurants and food retailers not to serve or sell and to dispose of oysters and consumers not to eat oysters from Pacific Oyster Fanny Bay, harvested on Nov. 8 from harvest area BC 14- 8 with Landfile # 1402294 and Oyster Malaspina Live, harvested on Nov. 9 from harvest area BC 14-8 with Landfile # 278761 and shipped to distributors in Utah and Wisconsin.

Oysters contaminated with Campylobacter jejuni can cause illness if eaten raw and potentially life-threatening illness in people with compromised immune systems. Food containing Campylobacter jejuni may look, smell, and taste normal. Consumers of these products experiencing symptoms of illness should contact their healthcare provider and report their symptoms to their local Health Department.

People with Campylobacter infection usually have diarrhea (often bloody), fever, and stomach cramps. Nausea and vomiting may accompany the diarrhea. These symptoms usually start 2 to 5 days after the person ingests Campylobacter and last about one week.

Sometimes, Campylobacter infections cause complications, such as irritable bowel syndrome, temporary paralysis, and arthritis.

In people with weakened immune systems, such as those with a blood disorder, with AIDS, or receiving chemotherapy, Campylobacter occasionally spreads to the bloodstream and causes a life-threatening infection.

Food Safety News reports:

Supermarkets in the United Kingdom have reported mixed Campylobacter in chicken results for the first two quarters of 2023.

The Food Standards Agency (FSA) maximum target level is up to 7 percent of birds with more than 1,000 colony-forming units per gram (CFU/g) of Campylobacter.

Data from the retailers covers the first half of 2023 on high findings of Campylobacter in fresh, shop-bought, UK-produced chickens.

Results at Morrisons, Asda, and Sainsbury’s went up while Marks and Spencer recorded lower levels. The percentage of positives varied by quarter at Waitrose and Lidl and stayed the same for Co-op.  

Campylobacter is the most common cause of bacterial food poisoning in the UK, and the dose needed to make people sick can be as low as a few hundred cells.

Tesco has stopped publishing data as it has changed how it monitors the pathogen in chicken, so findings are not comparable with other retailers. Aldi has not updated its related webpage or provided the figures when asked to do so by Food Safety News.

Findings by retailer
Morrisons had 2.3 percent of 86 chickens at the top contaminated level from April to June and 2.4 percent from 84 samples in January to March 2023 compared to 2 percent in the fourth quarter of 2022.

Lidl recorded almost 4 percent of birds in the highest category from April to June and 2 percent from January to March 2023. The figure was about 3 percent at the end of 2022.

Marks and Spencer had no samples at the top threshold from April to June. The retailer also had none above 1,000 CFU/g in January and 1 percent each in February and March 2023 from 376 samples. This compares to 1 percent in the maximum category in October, November, and December from the same number of chickens sampled.

Asda reported that 3.6 percent of samples were above 1,000 CFU/g in the first quarter of 2023 and 3.5 percent in the second quarter. This compares to no chickens at this level in the final quarter of 2022.

Sainsbury’s Campylobacter results for Q1 2023 showed 3 percent of chickens had levels above 1,000 CFU/g, compared to 1 percent in Q2 2023 and 1 percent in Q4 2022.

Co-op continued its streak of results that showed no chickens tested were contaminated at levels greater than 1,000 CFU/g. The last time any samples had levels this high was Q3 2021.

Waitrose and Partners had 2 percent testing positive for Campylobacter at levels above 1,000 CFU/g from April to June, compared to 4 percent from January to March 2023 and 2 percent in the final quarter of 2022.

“The key to our good results continues to be the incredibly hard work of our farmers and suppliers combined with our rigorous data gathering and analysis, surveying chicken both at the factory and on supermarket shelves,” said a Waitrose and Partners spokesperson.

The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture warns that consumers should immediately discard raw goat milk sold from Dove Song Dairy due to possible contamination with Campylobacter. Three persons who consumed this product and became ill with campylobacteriosis were reported by the Department of Health. Raw milk samples tested by the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture are presumptively positive for Campylobacter.  

Dove Song Dairy raw goat milk was sold in plastic containers of various sizes (gallon, ½ gallon, quart, and pint) at the following locations:

Berks County:

Dove Song Dairy, 108 Seigfried Rd, Bernville

Multiple locations of Kimberton Whole Foods

Local Leaf Market, 3071 W Philadelphia Ave, Oley

Chester County:

Multiple locations of Kimberton Whole Foods

Lancaster County:

Shady Maple Farm Market, 1324 E Main St, East Earl

Nickle Mine Health Foods, 2123 Mine Rd, Paradise

Lehigh County:

Healthy Alternatives Food, 7150 Hamilton Blvd, Trexlertown 

Schuylkill County:

Healthy Habits Natural Market, 1120 Center Turnpike, Orwigsburg  

All sell-by dates of raw goat milk from Dove Song Dairy should be discarded.  

Anyone who consumed the raw goat milk should consult their physician if they become ill.

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Raw goat milk produced and packaged by Valley Milk Simply Bottled of Stanislaus County is the subject of a statewide recall and quarantine order announced by California State Veterinarian Dr. Annette Jones.  The quarantine order came following the confirmed detection of the bacteria Campylobacter jejuni in the farm’s packaged raw whole goat milk sampled and tested by the California Department of Food and Agriculture.

The order applies to “Valley Milk Simply Bottled Raw Goat Milk” and “DESI MILK Raw Goat Milk” distributed in half-gallon (64 oz) plastic jugs with a code date marked on the container of OCT 21 2022 through OCT 31 2022.

Consumers are strongly urged to dispose of any product remaining in their refrigerators, and retailers are to pull the product immediately from their shelves. The current order does not include the farm’s raw cow milk.

CDFA found the campylobacter bacteria in a routine sample collected at the Valley Milk Simply Bottled production and packaging facility.  No illnesses have been reported.

Symptoms of campylobacteriosis include diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and fever.  Most people with camplylobacteriosis recover completely.  Illness usually occurs 2 to 5 days after exposure to campylobacter and lasts about a week.  The illness is usually mild and some people with campylobacteriosis have no symptoms at all.  However, in some persons with compromised immune systems, it can cause a serious, life-threatening infection.  A small percentage of people may have joint pain and swelling after infection.  In addition, a rare disease called Guillian-Barre syndrome that causes weakness and paralysis can occur several weeks after the initial illness.

The McHenry County Department of Health is encouraging awareness and prevention after identifying an increase in campylobacteriosis cases in McHenry County.

The MCDH has identified 8 cases of campylobacteriosis between Aug. 17 and Aug. 30, which is four times more cases compared to the previous two weeks and 3.33 times more cases in August compared to July. No common source of infection has been identified at this time.

Campylobacter bacteria is the most common cause of bacterial diarrhea in the United States. People can become ill with campylobacteriosis by eating contaminated food, drinking contaminated water or having contact with infected animals.

Most people who become ill from the infection get diarrhea, which may be bloody, and may experience cramping, abdominal pain and fever within two to five days after exposure to the bacteria. Nausea and vomiting may also occur. The illness typically lasts about one week. Those who believe they have symptoms should contact their healthcare provider as soon as possible.

The majority of people with campylobacteriosis will recover on their own and should drink extra fluids to prevent dehydration. Antibiotics are occasionally used to treat severe cases or people who are at high risk for severe disease.

The best way to prevent a campylobacteriosis infection is to take precautions:

  • Do not drink raw (unpasteurized) milk or untreated water from lakes, rivers or ponds
  • Practice good hand hygiene, especially when handling puppies or kittens with diarrhea
  • Wash hands before, during and after preparing food
  • Cook all raw meats to proper temperature
  • Use soap and hot water to wash cutting boards, counters or utensils used to prepare raw poultry, seafood or meat to prevent cross contamination with other foods
  • Avoid handling food, caring for others, patient care or daycare work if symptomatic
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The source of a bacterial outbreak in Sanders County that caused several people to become ill has been confirmed.

State and county officials recently notified the Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) that the Kennedy Creek water box has been associated with a Campylobacter outbreak.

The Montana Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) has labeled this untreated water as a health concern and advised MDT to close off public access to the water.

After Sanders County Public Health officials confirmed several cases of infection from Campylobacter, the water from the untreated creek was tested and the presence of this bacteria was confirmed, according to MDT.

Over 20 people have tested positive for the bacterial infection and have reported diarrhea, abdominal pain, nausea, and fever after drinking water from the location.

Sanders County Public Health officials posted a public notice on May 13, 2022, advising against the consumption of water from the Kennedy Creek water box. County officials stated the water is not considered to be a safe source of drinking water. MDT also notes a sign is posted at the site stating that the water is not safe for human consumption.