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State detects listeria in local raw milk

The Daily Star - 8/13/2019

Aug. 13--A sample of raw milk collected this month from an Otsego County dairy farm tested positive for listeria, according to an announcement Monday from the New York state Department of Agriculture and Markets.

Laboratory testing on Aug. 7 and 12 confirmed the presence of Listeria monocytogenes, a harmful bacteria that causes listeriosis, in a sample of raw unpasteurized milk collected from Muddy River Dairy LLC of Otego, according to department officials.

Common symptoms of listeriosis include fever, severe headaches, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The infection can cause miscarriages and stillbirths in pregnant women, and young children, adults aged 65 and older and people with weakened immunity are more susceptible to the illness.

No illnesses associated with Muddy River products have been reported to the department, according to officials, but local residents are advised against consuming unpasteurized raw cow milk produced on the farm.

Muddy River LLC is prohibited from selling raw milk until further testing indicates the product is free of the bacteria.

The owners could not be reached for comment.

Any consumers who purchased raw cow milk from Muddy River LLC are encouraged to dispose of it immediately and call the farm at 607-988-0026.

The department reminds consumers that the pasteurization process kills bacteria responsible for numerous illnesses and diseases including listeriosis, salmonellosis, campylobacteriosis, typhoid fever, tuberculosis, diphtheria and brucellosis. Pasteurization of milk is recognized internationally as an effective means of preventing outbreaks of foodborne illnesses, including listeriosis.

For more information, visit agriculture.ny.gov.

Sarah Eames, staff writer, can be reached at seames@thedailystar.com or 607-441-7213. Follow her @DS_SarahE on Twitter.

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