Camplylobacter jejuni, simply known as campylobacter, is one of the leading causes of food poisoning in the United States. It is responsible for an estimated one million illnesses per year. One of the main difficulties in the prevention and treatment of campylobacteriosis is the size of the outbreaks. The outbreaks are typically not large, and often occur sporadically in small populations.
Recent Campylobacter Outbreaks
On December 11, 2007, campylobacter was discovered in a routine testing sample taken by the Whatcom County Health Department at Pleasant Valley Dairy in Ferndale, Washington. The Pleasant Valley Dairy is known for its production and sale of raw, or unpasteurized, milk. Unpasteurized milk is known to carry live bacteria and it carries the risk of infecting anyone who consumes it. The sale of raw milk is illegal in most, but not all, states for this reason.
A similar incident occurred in Crescent City, CA, in August of 2008, when campylobacter was found in a sample of raw milk. Although it is illegal to sell raw milk in California, Alexandre Family EcoDairy Farms was able to circumvent this law by selling stock in the cows to their customers. This, in essence, made the customers part owners of the animals and it is not illegal to produce raw milk for personal consumption.
Approximately five people were affected in the Pleasant Valley Dairies incident and all experienced only mild symptoms. The outbreak in California, however, was more severe. At least fifteen people became ill with severe symptoms and one woman was left partially paralyzed.
Given the facts that all milk being produced at Alexandre Family EcoDairy Farms was only provided to the “owners” of the cows and that all prospective customers were warned of the risks involved with drinking raw milk, the farm was not liable and there were no fines issued. However, Alexandre Family EcoDairy Farms has since ended its production of raw milk.
Symptoms of Campylobacteriosis
Campylobacteriosis is an infectious disease caused by the campylobacter bacteria. In most occurrences of campylobacteriosis, the individual falls ill within two to five days of exposure to the bacteria; however, there have been cases with a longer gestation period reported.
The most common symptom is diarrhea. This may be bloody and accompanied by nausea, vomiting, stomach cramping, abdominal pain and fever. Most cases of campylobacteriosis last approximately one week in people with normal, healthy immune systems.
Fortunately, campylobacter is a fragile organism and it needs very specific conditions to survive. It does grow well in most species, but it does not tolerate cold temperatures very well Freezing will reduce the amount of organisms in food but will not completely eliminate them.
Long Term Health Risks of Campylobacteriosis
Campylobacteriosis is widespread and poses a great risk to people who are infected. Studies have shown that about thirteen cases are documented each year for every one hundred thousand persons in the population. This number is most likely an underestimate because not all instances of campylobacteriosis are correctly diagnosed or reported. This illness typically causes discomfort and mild symptoms, but it is estimated that one hundred and twenty four people die every year from campylobacteriosis infections.
There are also possibilities of more long-term consequences from campylobacteriosis infections. Studies have shown that it can lead to arthritis and Guillain-Barre syndrome. Guilain-Barre syndrome is a disease that causes the body to attack its own nervous system, often resulting in paralysis, hospitalization and intensive care. Approximately one in every thousand campylobacteriosis infections results in Guillain-Barre syndrome and it is believed that forty percent of all the Guillain-Barre syndrome cases in the United States are caused by campylobacteriosis.
Another potentially fatal long-term consequence of campylobacteriosis is heart attack. Studies published in the European Journal of Heart Failure, the European Journal of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases and Acta Medica Scandinavica show that enterocolitis (a severe impairment of left ventricular systolic function), myocarditis and myopericarditis (inflammation of both heart muscle and pericardium) and acute atrial fibrillation (rapid, irregular and chaotic atrial activity) can all result from campylobacteriosis infections.
What Can Be Done to Reduce Risk of Infection
Campylobacteriosis is a serious health risk and steps should be taken to prevent it. The production and sale of raw milk should be ceased immediately. Given that no evidence has been found to prove that raw milk provides a higher nutritional value, it just isn’t worth the short- and long-term health risks to the people who choose to consume it.
Random sampling and testing should be increased at all milk pasteurization plants to ensure that all milk is being properly treated to minimize the risks of outbreaks of this very dangerous disease.
There are currently no real financial repercussions to the manufacturers of raw milk due to the fact that providers issue verbal and written warnings of the risks involved.
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