News Release                             For Immediate Release

                                                                                                                       March 16, 2007

Yersinia Infection Most Likely from Raw Milk

For the second time in less than a week a child in Grey Bruce was made seriously ill most likely related to the consumption of unpasteurized milk. A two year old was hospitalized suffering yersinia infection. The parents identified the child drank raw milk from the family farm. Yersinia is a serious gastro-intestinal infection that can lead to septicemia and acute arthritis.

“I advise farm families who are drinking raw milk to pasteurize the milk to avoid the needless illness that may occur, especially in children,” says Medical Officer of Health Dr. Hazel Lynn. “These two recent cases clearly show unpasteurized milk is neither benign nor beneficial and can pose a serious health risk.”

Raw milk can be made safe by heating to a temperature 63 degrees Celsius for not less than 30 minutes or 72 degrees Celsius for not less than 16 seconds.  This will not significantly alter vitamin or protein content of the milk.

-30-

Attachments: Health Protection Fact Sheet – Pasteurization

For more information:

Dr. Hazel Lynn

Medical Officer of Health

Grey Bruce Health Unit

519-376-9420 or 1-800-263-3456 ext. 269