E. coli Raw Milk Minnesota Outbreak Investigation Grows
A Minnesota E. coli outbreak linked to raw milk has state health officials digging deeper into the investigation of how at least eight people became sick, and how to prevent the outbreak from growing, according to local news sources.
The E. coli raw milk outbreak has been linked to Hartmann Farm dairy in Gibbon, Minnesota and has sickened at least 8 people. At least one of the cases has developed into a serious complication called hemolytic uremic syndrome, or E. coli HUS. This occurs when the E. coli infection damages the blood cells, causing serious kidney problems and in some cases, death.
Since state health investigators from the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) and the Minnesota State Health Department (MDH) began investigating the farm on May 26, they have returned to confiscate records and collect samples from Hartmann Farm owner Michael Hartmann. At the beginning of the investigation, health officials stated the strain of E. coli found at the Hartmann farm matched the strain found in the outbreak victims. Later, according to news sources:
“State investigators went back to the Michael Hartmann farm in Gibbon a second time last Wednesday to collect more samples, confiscate financial records, and document what they allege are unsanitary conditions on the farm.”
Throughout the investigation, officials have pointed to a number of concerns about the farm and its production process, including unsanitary conditions due mostly to manure contamination, and milking facilities that investigators called “filthy.” Officials took photos and collected more testing samples on a June 16 search of the farm, and confiscated Hartmann’s financial and production records, which officials believe will show Hartmann was producing and selling foods like milk, cheese, yogurt, ice cream and meat all in violation of food safety laws.
