A multistate Listeriosis outbreak under investigation by the CDC for nearly two years has been linked to raw milk produced in Pennsylvania.
Two people—one in California and another in Florida—were infected with a specific outbreak strain of Liseria in 2014. Both people needed hospitalization and the person in Florida eventually died as a result of Listeriosis, according to the CDC.
Though these illnesses occurred in 2014, the source of the illnesses wasn’t known until this past January. State and federal health officials now say they have been able to trace the source of the outbreak to raw milk from Miller’s Organic Farm in Bird-In-Hand, PA. Recent FDA testing found Listeria bacteria from raw chocolate milk produced by the farm was closely related genetically to the Listeria bacteria that caused the 2014 illnesses.
Raw milk is milk from cows or other animals that has not been pasteurized to kill harmful bacteria. According to the CDCD, raw milk and raw dairy products can pose severe health risks, including death, especially for people at higher risk for foodborne illness, including children younger than 5, pregnant women, adults 65 and older, and people with weakened immune systems.
The CDC says it is concerned raw milk and other raw products from this company may still be on the market. The investigation is considered ongoing.