On Tuesday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced that 19 states have bought and/or consumed raw milk, which came from Miller’s Biodiversity Farm. CDC health officials are investigating a possible nationwide outbreak of Brucella caused by raw milk.
Brucella is an aerobic gram-negative, drug-resistant bacterium that can cause brucellosis. The signs and symptoms of brucellosis include fever, chills, headache, fatigue, abdominal pain, back pain, loss of appetite, and weight loss. It may also cause complications such as heart problems, arthritis, and even miscarriage.
The CDC says you should throw away raw milk that came from the Miller’s Biodiversity Farm.
According to the CDC, many people who have been drinking raw milk or eating products made from raw milk bought from the farm might have been exposed to brucellosis.
CDC says, “People who are still within six months of the date they last consumed the raw milk are at an increased risk for brucellosis and should receive antibiotics to prevent infection and symptoms, and should monitor their health for possible symptoms for six months. If symptoms develop, they should see their doctor immediately for testing.”
The USA Today says brucellosis may take approximately six months to take effect.
According to the CDC, the 19 states that are affected with Brucella due to raw milk supply are California, Alabama, Florida, Connecticut, Iowa, Georgia, Massachusetts, Maryland, Michigan, Mississippi, Minnesota, New York, New Jersey, Ohio, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Virginia and South Carolina.
CDC health officials said that the Brucella investigation began in November 2018 when a resident from New York, who consumed raw milk bought from Miller’s Biodiversity Farm, suffered from brucellosis. The raw milk samples collected from the farm were tested positive for RB51, a strain found in the raw milk that is resistant to rifampin. Rifampin is an antibacterial drug that is often prescribed to treat or prevent brucellosis. In fact, a cow that was tested positive for RB51 was removed from the farm.
