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MIDWAY, Wasatch County — A recent rash of salmonella cases has been linked to raw milk purchased at Heber Valley Milk in Midway, health officials said Tuesday.
Officials are investigating nine cases of people sickened by salmonella Saintpaul. All drank raw milk from Heber Valley Milk, according to Utah Department of Health spokeswoman Becky Ward.
A raw milk sample collected at the dairy by a Utah Department of Agriculture and Food inspector tested positive for salmonella Saintpaul last week, Ward said.
The dairy has been allowed to resume sales after the most recent testing showed no signs of salmonella.
Utah Department of Health epidemiologist Cindy Burnett said the outbreak "doesn't signify any problem at the dairy."
"The problem is raw milk," Burnett said.
Public health officials have long warned people not to drink raw milk, which has not been pasteurized. Officials say there is no easy way for consumers to know whether the milk contains disease-causing bacteria.
But Burnett said people have shown increasing interest in less-processed foods that are "closer to the farm," such as raw milk.
"We just want to remind the public that in this case, raw milk is not a healthier alternative and pasteurization was put in place for a very good reason," Burnett said.
Since 2009, health officials have documented 30 outbreaks associated with raw milk sold at Utah dairies.
Related:
At least 45 sickened after consuming Utah raw milk
The Utah Department of Health is warning people about drinking raw milk after 45 people became ill after consuming raw or unpasteurized milk products from a Weber County dairy.In this recent cluster of cases, the patients range in age from 15 to 78 years old and became ill between March 20 and Aug. 14, according to Ward. She said two people were hospitalized, but both have recovered.
People who experience severe vomiting or diarrhea after drinking raw milk should consult their health care provider, health officials said.
Symptoms of salmonella include fever, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain and headache and usually appear 12 hours to a week after exposure. Most people recover on their own, but the infection can spread from the intestines to the bloodstream and then to other parts of the body.
Salmonella can become serious for young children, pregnant women, the elderly and those with weakened immune systems.
If you choose to drink raw milk, public health officials recommend only buying from stores or dairies permitted to sell it, keeping raw milk products at or below 40 degrees Fahrenheit and transporting milk in a cooler with ice packs.
