CDC: E. Coli Outbreak Tied to Raw Milk Cheese

A CDC food safety alert regarding a multistate outbreak of E. coli infections has been posted: https://www.cdc.gov/ecoli/raw-milk-cheese-2-24/index.html

Key Points:

• Ten people infected with the outbreak strain of E. coli have been reported from four states. Four people have been hospitalized and one person developed hemolytic uretic syndrome. This is a serious condition that can cause kidney failure. No deaths have been reported.
• Of the 6 people who remembered the details of the raw milk cheese they ate, all reported eating RAW FARM brand raw cheddar cheese.
• CDC advises people not to eat, sell, or serve RAW FARM brand raw cheddar cheese while the investigation is ongoing.
• RAW FARM LLC has agreed to recall products and is working with FDA.

What People and Businesses Should Do:

• Do not sell or serve RAW FARM brand raw cheddar cheese.
• Wash and sanitize items and surfaces that may have come in contact with contaminated cheese.
• Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any severe E. coli symptoms.
• Wash surfaces and containers that may have touched these products using hot soapy water or a dishwasher.

E. coli Symptoms:

• Most people infected with Shiga toxin-producing E. coli experience severe stomach cramps, diarrhea (often bloody), and vomiting.
  • Symptoms usually start 3 to 4 days after swallowing the bacteria.
  • Most people recover without treatment after 5 to 7 days.
• Some people may develop serious kidney problems (hemolytic uremic syndrome, also called HUS) and would need to be hospitalized.
  • Clues that someone is developing HUS include decreased frequency of urination, feeling very tired, and losing pink color in cheeks and inside the lower eyelids.
• For more information about E. coli, see the E. coli Questions and Answers page.

If you have questions about cases in a particular state, please call that state's health department.