A newborn in New Mexico has died from a Listeria infection likely linked to the mother’s consumption of raw milk during pregnancy, prompting health officials to issue renewed warnings.
A newborn baby in New Mexico has died from a Listeria infection that state health officials believe is likely connected to the mother’s consumption of raw milk during her pregnancy. In response to this tragic incident, the New Mexico Department of Health issued a warning urging residents to avoid raw dairy products.
Health officials indicated that while they could not definitively identify the source of the infection, they consider the mother’s intake of unpasteurized milk during pregnancy to be the “most likely” cause. They emphasized that this unfortunate death highlights the serious risks that raw dairy products pose to vulnerable populations, including pregnant women, young children, the elderly, and individuals with weakened immune systems.
The consumption of raw milk has gained popularity in recent years, partly fueled by movements advocating for natural and unprocessed foods. This trend has been notably supported by figures such as Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
Despite the popularity of raw milk, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has prohibited the interstate sale of unpasteurized milk for decades. However, there is no federal ban on raw milk, which allows individual states to determine its safety for human consumption.
Dr. Chad Smelser, deputy state epidemiologist for the New Mexico Department of Health, stressed the importance of consuming only pasteurized milk products during pregnancy to prevent potential illnesses and fatalities in newborns. Pasteurization is a process that heats milk to eliminate harmful germs.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) warns that consuming raw milk or products made from it can expose individuals to various pathogens, including Campylobacter, Cryptosporidium, E. coli, Listeria, Brucella, and Salmonella. Listeria is particularly concerning, as it is the third leading cause of death from foodborne illnesses in the United States, with approximately 1,250 infections and 172 deaths reported each year.
Certain groups, including children under five, adults over 65, pregnant women, and those with weakened immune systems, are at a heightened risk of severe illness from Listeria and other foodborne pathogens.
Jeff M. Witte, New Mexico’s secretary of agriculture, reiterated the commitment of the state’s dairy producers to provide safe and wholesome products, emphasizing that pasteurization is a critical component of food safety. He encouraged consumers, especially those in high-risk categories, to choose pasteurized dairy products to mitigate the risk of serious foodborne illnesses.
This incident follows a previous outbreak last August, when raw milk from a Florida farm was linked to E. coli and Campylobacter infections that sickened 21 people, including six children.
As health officials continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the newborn’s death, they stress the importance of awareness regarding the risks associated with raw milk consumption, particularly for vulnerable populations.
According to Fox News, the ongoing discussions surrounding raw milk safety highlight the need for informed choices regarding dairy consumption, especially for pregnant women and those with compromised immune systems.