Unpasteurized milk recall from Wise County dairy

News Release
News Release
August 14, 2017

News Release
August 14, 2017

Consumers urged to consult with their medical provider

The Texas Department of State Health Services is working with a specific raw milk dairy in Wise County to recall raw, or unpasteurized, milk due to laboratory evidence that it contains harmful bacteria. DSHS is investigating additional illnesses that may be connected to this product and advising people who consumed milk from this dairy since June 1 to consult with their health care provider.

A person who drank milk from K-Bar Dairy in Paradise, Texas has been hospitalized for an infection of a strain of Brucella bacteria. The patient’s only known exposure is through the raw milk, and milk samples taken at that dairy have also tested positive for Brucella.

The dairy, which is cooperating fully with the investigation, is contacting customers and telling them to discard any milk they have on hand. Because the dairy does not have record of all customers, DSHS is alerting the public about the recall. The department has also issued a health alert asking health care providers to be aware of possible Brucella infections in patients, ask about the consumption of raw milk if considering a Brucella diagnosis, and order appropriate diagnostic testing.

Brucella can cause a range of symptoms including fever, sweats, headache, muscle and joint pain, loss of appetite and fatigue. Symptoms can persist for a long time or may come and go repeatedly. Less common symptoms include inflammation of the heart, swelling of the liver and spleen, neurologic symptoms, and in pregnant women, miscarriage. Pregnant women, very young children, older adults and people with suppressed immune systems are at an increased risk of serious illness due to Brucella.

People who consumed milk from K-Bar Dairy since June 1 are considered to be at high risk of Brucella infection and should contact their health care provider and explain the situation. DSHS recommends testing people with symptoms who consumed the product and treating those who test positive. People who consumed milk from this dairy but have no symptoms should discuss the issue with their provider and monitor themselves for fever and other symptoms. Additional information for providers is available in the DSHS health alert.

 

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(News MediaContact: Chris Van Deusen, DSHS Director of Media Relations, 512-776-7119)

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