A man who drank raw milk from a Western Massachusetts dairy may have been infected with brucellosis, an infectious disease passed primarily from animal to animal, but one that humans can get by drinking raw milk.
The man, who remains unnamed because of patient confidentiality, drank raw milk sold by the Twin Rivers Farm in Ashley Falls, Mass. in late December. Massachusetts public health authorities say they haven’t seen Brucella in decades.
According to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, brucellosis is a bacterial infection that can cause flu-like symptoms, including sweats, fever, headache, swollen lymph nodes and back pain. In some cases the disease can become more serious, affecting the nervous system or internal organs and cause such chronic problems as recurring fever, joint pain and fatigue.
Said Dr. Alfred DeMaria, medical director of the Massachusetts Bureau of Infectious Disease, in a Boston Globe interview, “It can percolate along with fever, fatigue, muscle aches and with nonspecific symptoms, and can be very difficult to diagnose."
Raw vs. pasteurized milk
Raw milk is milk from cows, sheep or goats that has not been pasteurized to kill harmful bacteria. While back-to-nature proponents and advocates of organic foods are espousing the benefits of raw milk over pasteurized milk, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that since 1998, 800 people in the U.S. become ill from drinking raw milk or eating cheese made from raw milk.
Food and Drug Administration (FDA) research shows no meaningful difference in the nutritional values of unpasteurized and pasteurized milk, but unpasteurized milk can carry dangerous bacteria. In addition to Brucella, it is known to harbor Salmonella, E. coli and Listeria; bacteria that can seriously harm the health of anyone who consumes raw milk or raw milk products. The FDA reports that the bacteria in unpasteurized milk can be especially dangerous to pregnant women, children, the elderly and people with weakened immune systems.
Timing is everything
The possible brucellosis case in Massachusetts focuses the spotlight on raw milk at a time when many state authorities are clashing with proponents of the raw-foods movement who see unprocessed and organic products as healthier and want the right to choose what they drink.
The FDA banned the interstate sale of raw milk in 1987. Stepping into the raw-milk fray in May 2011, Ron Paul, Texas Representative in the U.S. House and Republican presidential candidate, has introduced legislation to allow interstate traffic of raw milk and raw milk products.
Massachusetts man waiting for test results
The Massachusetts man who became ill is recovering at home and awaiting test results to confirm his diagnosis. There have been no other reports of human infection in the state.
Twin Rivers Farm, where the raw milk was sold, has been inspected by the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources and it was found to be a well-run business with no history of problems. William Gillmeister of the Agricultural Department said investigators are still trying to determine the source of the infection and that sales of Twin Rivers Farm raw milk have been discontinued. The product was only sold at the farm and not through retail stores.
Massachusetts health officials are advising anyone who purchased raw milk from Twin Rivers Farm to discard it. Anyone who becomes ill and believes it is from drinking raw milk should seek medical attention immediately and notify the state’s Public Health Food Protection Program at 617-983-6712.
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