The New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets is urging consumers to avoid drinking raw milk purchased from a Yates County Farm after a state sample tested positive for Salmonella.
Inspectors collected a raw milk sample from Galen Burkholder’s farm in Branchport, which returned a preliminary positive result, according to the department. Follow-up testing confirmed the presence of Salmonella on Dec. 8. No illnesses have been reported.
The farm has been ordered to halt raw milk sales until testing shows the product is free of harmful bacteria. Anyone who recently bought raw milk from the farm is advised to discard it immediately.
About Salmonella infections
Food contaminated with Salmonella bacteria does not usually look, smell, or taste spoiled. Anyone can become sick with a Salmonella infection. Infants, children, seniors, and people with weakened immune systems are at higher risk of serious illness because their immune systems are fragile, according to the CDC.
Anyone who has consumed any of the raw milk and developed symptoms of Salmonella infection should seek medical attention. Sick people should tell their doctors about the possible exposure to Salmonella bacteria because special tests are necessary to diagnose salmonellosis. Salmonella infection symptoms can mimic other illnesses, frequently leading to misdiagnosis.
Symptoms of Salmonella infection can include diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and fever within 12 to 72 hours after eating contaminated food. Otherwise, healthy adults are usually sick for four to seven days. In some cases, however, diarrhea may be so severe that patients require hospitalization.
Older adults, children, pregnant women, and people with weakened immune systems, such as cancer patients, are more likely to develop a severe illness and serious, sometimes life-threatening conditions.
Some people get infected without getting sick or showing any symptoms. However, they may still spread the infections to others.
