State officials warn consumers about pathogen in raw milk; at least one person ill

People in Schuyler County New York are again being warned not to consume unpasteurized, raw milk from Sunset View Creamer because of contamination with Campylobacter.

The new warning comes after the same pathogen was found in milk from the Odessa, N.Y., dairy in September 2023.

In its new warning, the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets says one person has become ill after drinking raw milk from the dairy. The bacteria was found in raw milk from Sunset View Creamer in preliminary and followup testing.

The dairy is prohibited from selling raw milk until testing shows that the product is free from the bacteria. Anyone who has purchased raw milk from the farm should throw it away immediately.  

Anyone who has become ill after consuming raw milk from the dairy should immediately seek medical attention and tell their health care provider about their exposure to Campylobacter. Specific testing is required to diagnose infection from the pathogen because symptoms can mimic other illnesses. 

The Department of Agriculture is reminding consumers that raw milk does not have the protection pasteurized milk has. The pasteurization process involves heating milk to a specific temperature for a specific amount of time. This process kills the bacteria responsible for diseases like campylobacteriosis, listeriosis, salmonellosis, typhoid fever, tuberculosis, diphtheria, brucellosis, and more. Milk pasteurization is an internationally recognized means of preventing foodborne illness outbreaks.

Campylobacteriosis infections usually appear within two to five days after ingesting the bacteria and last for one week. Infection symptoms include diarrhea that is often bloody, fever, and stomach cramps. Nausea and stomach cramps could accompany the diarrhea. Campylobacteriosis can cause lasting complications, including irritable bowel syndrome, arthritis and temporary paralysis. People with compromised immune systems could develop a life-threatening infection if the bacteria spreads to the bloodstream.

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