For the second time in three months, a Montgomery County dairy in New York has seen its raw milk test positive for Campylobacter during routine testing by state inspectors.
The New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets is warning consumers to throw away raw, unpasteurized milk from Rob and Shirley Hudyncia doing business as HuHill Farm because of its positive test for the pathogen. The producer is now prohibited from selling raw milk until subsequent testing shows it is free of Campylobacter jejuni.
At the time the public alert was placed, no confirmed illnesses had been reported, but sick people often do not seek medical attention.
“On October 17, 2024, the producer was informed of a preliminary positive test result. Further laboratory testing, completed on October 21, 2024, confirmed the presence of Campylobacter jejuni in the raw milk sample, the health department alert said,” the agriculture department said.
An identical scenario played out in early August when a routine sample of the dairy’s raw milk was discovered to be contaminated with Campylobacter jejuni. Then and now, the Agriculture Department recommends that all consumers who purchased raw milk from HuHill Farm immediately throw it away and call the farm at 518-860-8098.
“It is important to note that raw milk does not protect against pasteurization,” the department’s warning said.
“Pasteurization is a process in which milk is heated to a certain temperature for a certain period of time. Pasteurization kills the bacteria responsible for numerous diseases and conditions such as listeriosis, salmonellosis, campylobacteriosis, typhoid fever, tuberculosis, diphtheria and brucellosis. Pasteurizing milk is internationally recognized as an effective means of preventing outbreaks of foodborne illness, including campylobacteriosis.
About Campylobacter infections
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, outbreaks have been linked to unpasteurized dairy products, contaminated water, poultry and agricultural products. People can also become infected through contact with dog or cat feces. Spread of Campylobacter from person to person is uncommon.
Many people recover within a week, but a 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.
Symptoms of a Campylobacter infection usually begin two to five days after exposure and are characterized by diarrhea (often bloody), abdominal pain, fever, nausea, and sometimes vomiting. More serious illnesses may occur, including bloodstream infections and symptoms similar to acute appendicitis or ulcerative colitis.
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