Today the Oregon Public Health Division, Department of Agriculture and several local Oregon health departments are investigating an outbreak of Escherichia coli O157:H7 – E. coli infections that have left three Portland-area children hospitalized, two with kidney failure (hemolytic uremic syndrome – HUS) – all of whom drank raw milk from the same small farm.

Three children with laboratory-confirmed infections have been hospitalized. A fourth child has lab-confirmed E. coli but has not been hospitalized. All of the children consumed raw unpasteurized milk obtained from Foundation Farm in Clackamas County. The farm has voluntarily ceased its milk distribution.

According to news reports over the last week, Missouri state health officials have confirmed nine cases of E. coli in Missouri.  Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services confirmed cases in Boone, Cooper, Howard, Camden and Jackson counties.

Health officials say a 2-year-old girl a 17-month-old child have developed symptoms of a condition that can cause kidney damage (Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome)

Investigators say consumption of raw dairy products is a “possible” factor in some (actually only four at this time) of the cases.

Raw Milk and Raw Milk Cheese Outbreaks since 2010 (Not including Missouri and Oregon:

Outbreaks 

– 24 raw dairy outbreaks with 309 illnesses, no deaths (22 fluid raw milk, 2 aged raw milk cheese) 

Recalls (no illnesses reported) 

– 14 raw dairy (7 fluid raw milk, 7 aged raw milk cheese)

For more information on the real risks of raw milk, see www.realrawmilkfacts.com.