The Texas Department of State Health Services, with assistance from CDC, is investigating Brucella RB51 exposures and illnesses that may be connected to the purchase and consumption of raw (unpasteurized) milk from K-Bar Dairy in Paradise, Texas. The investigation indicates that Arkansans were potentially exposed. Symptoms of brucellosis can include fever, sweats, malaise, anorexia, headache, fatigue, muscle and joint pain, and potentially more serious complications (e.g., swelling of heart, liver, or spleen; neurologic symptoms).
Raw milk is milk from cows, sheep, or goats that has not been pasteurized to kill harmful bacteria. This raw, unpasteurized milk can carry dangerous bacteria such as Brucella, Campylobacter, Cryptosporidium, Salmonella, E. coli, and Listeria, which are responsible for causing numerous foodborne illnesses. These harmful bacteria can seriously affect the health of anyone who drinks raw milk, or eats foods made from raw milk. However, the bacteria in raw milk can be especially dangerous to people with weakened immune systems, older adults, pregnant women, and children. In fact, a CDC analysis found that foodborne illness from raw milk especially affected children and teenagers.
A person who drank raw milk from K-Bar Dairy in Paradise, Texas, has been hospitalized with brucellosis. Milk samples from the dairy have tested positive for a Brucella strain called RB51. The Texas Department of State Health Services, with assistance from CDC, has been investigating additional exposures and illnesses that may be connected to the purchase and consumption of raw milk from this dairy between June 1 – August 7, 2017. During this investigation, it was determined that individuals who reside in Arkansas might have also purchased or consumed implicated raw milk or dairy products from K-Bar Dairy, during the aforementioned timeframe. People who consumed raw milk or raw milk products from this dairy, from June 1, 2017 to August 7, 2017, are at an increased risk for brucellosis, and should receive appropriate post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) as soon as possible. They are advised to consult with their healthcare providers regarding PEP care, and possible diagnostic testing. Please note that the incubation period for brucellosis can range from five days to six months.
Brucella strain RB51 is resistant to rifampin and penicillin. A combination of doxycycline and trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole for 21 days is the recommended first-line PEP regimen for RB51 exposure. There is no serological test available to detect RB51 infection. Blood culture is the recommended diagnostic test for exposed symptomatic individuals.
For persons potentially exposed, health providers should use the information found here to guide their management decisions.