Outbreak linked to raw cheese grows; 9 cases total, one with kidney failure

Key Points:

• The FDA reported two additional illnesses in an E. coli outbreak linked to unpasteurized cheese and milk from California-based Raw Farm, bringing the total to nine cases across three states, including one life-threatening complication (HUS) and three hospitalizations.
• Investigations revealed that eight of the sick individuals consumed unpasteurized dairy, with seven specifically identifying Raw Farm products, and genetic testing confirmed a common source of the E. coli strain.
• The outbreak primarily affects young children under five, who are particularly vulnerable to severe complications from Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC), which can cause kidney failure through the development of Hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS).
• Raw Farm, known for its anti-pasteurization stance, denies responsibility and refuses to recall products despite multiple past outbreaks linked to the company; testing of their products has shown negative results for STEC, though experts warn that low-level contamination is difficult to detect reliably.
• Unpasteurized milk and cheese pose significant risks because pathogens like STEC can be present due to cattle carriage and milking processes, and aging cheese for 60 days reduces but does not eliminate the risk of contamination.