Estimated read time: 1-2 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) — Some West Virginia lawmakers and Capitol staffers had a very bad weekend — after drinking raw milk to celebrate a law that loosened restrictions on the product.
And now, state health officials are investigating whether the milk was the cause of their fever, vomiting and diarrhea. And authorities are looking into allegations that the raw-milk party broke the law.
So far, state and county health officials say they haven't received medical reports of illnesses related to the dangerous bacteria that can live in raw milk.
The lawmaker involved — Delegate Scott Cadle, who also stayed home sick on Monday — blames his and other illnesses on an unrelated stomach virus circulating the Capitol. He says it had "nothing to do with that milk."
A state House spokesman notes that some of those who got sick, including the state House speaker, did not drink the milk.
Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin signed a bill last Thursday that will let people share milk-producing animals and drink raw milk if people sign a document acknowledging the health risks, and if the animals have passed health tests within the previous year. But selling or even offering raw milk is illegal — and it still will be, subject to fines of up to $500, unless the new requirements are met.
Copyright © The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
