In the last two months, 11 Louisianans became sick after drinking raw or unpasteurized milk — two of those patients were hospitalized. There have been no reported deaths.
The Louisiana Department of Health is investigating the illnesses, reportedly coming from three different “milking operations” in Louisiana.
Under Louisiana law, established in August 2024, raw milk may be sold or distributed for animal or pet consumption only.
Raw milk has not been pasteurized, a process that removes disease-causing germs by heating milk to a high enough temperature for a certain length of time. Raw milk can contain bacteria and parasites, such as campylobacter, cryptosporidium, E. coli, listeria, brucella and salmonella.
All 11 patients tested positive for campylobacteriosis. Symptoms, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, include:
DiarrheaFeverStomach crampsNausea or vomiting.
Symptoms usually start two to five days after ingesting the bacteria, campylobacter, and usually end within seven days.
Young children, pregnant women, older adults and immunocompromised individuals are at higher risk of serious illness from raw milk-associated infections.
“Anyone who has consumed raw milk or raw milk products and develops symptoms is encouraged to promptly seek medical care,” LDH said in a press release.
The investigation is ongoing, LDH says, and additional illness may be identified.