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SALT LAKE CITY — Health officials in Utah have identified 14 people with campylobacteriosis, an illness associated with drinking milk that is unpasteurized, or raw, the Salt Lake County Health Department said on Oct. 11.
On Wednesday, the department said it had identified the source of the raw milk, a West Jordan dairy named Utah Natural Meat and Milk. It said at least 12 of those infected reported drinking milk from this dairy and bacteria found in the milk matches bacteria found in those who were sick.
"The dairy's license to sell raw cow's milk has been suspended pending further testing. Company officials have cooperated fully with the investigation and are working closely with UDAF to address any issues that caused the bacteria to contaminate the milk," the statement said.
The health department said no new cases of camplobacteriosis matching that strain have been found since the diary's raw milk license was suspended. The dairy is still selling other products.
The Salt Lake County Health Department said those infected range in age from 2 to 73 and 10 of the 14 live in Salt Lake County. Two of them were hospitalized, but are now recovering at home.
In its statement earlier in October, the agency urged people to only consume dairy products that have been pasteurized.
In Utah, grocery stores only sell pasteurized dairy products, and farms that sell raw milk directly to consumers must be licensed. There are 16 licensed raw milk retailers in Utah and three in Salt Lake County, the department said in its announcement.
The Salt Lake County Health Department says anyone who chooses to consume raw milk, or products made from raw milk, should heat it above 165 degrees for at least 15 seconds and then let it cool before consuming — keeping those products refrigerated and not letting them sit out. These steps, the agency said, will reduce the chance of illness.
Unpasteurized milk can contain multiple types of bacteria including Campylobacter, which is the cause of the illness, salmonella, listeria and E.coli.
"Raw milk contaminated with disease-causing bacteria does not smell or look any different from uncontaminated raw milk, and there is no easy way for a consumer to know whether raw milk contains harmful bacteria," the health department said.
Outbreaks of campylobacteriosis have occurred, on average, one or two times each year since 2009 in Utah, and an average of about 12 people get sick during each outbreak.
Campylobacteriosis causes diarrhea, abdominal pain, fever, headaches, nausea and vomiting that can last a week or longer. It is especially dangerous for young children, pregnant women and people with weakened immune systems. Severe cases can lead to paralysis or death.
The Salt Lake County Health Department said if people who recently consumed raw milk are experiencing any of those symptoms, they should talk to their doctor.
