Two San Diego County children under age 5 are sick after eating raw milk cheese linked to a multi-state E. coli outbreak, county health officials said on Friday, Sept. 25.
The County of San Diego Health and Human Services is urging residents to throw away all Sierra Nevada Graziers brand raw milk cheese immediately. The recall covers every package on the market because no specific lot or date code has been identified.
The recalled products are Sierra Nevada Graziers grass-fed raw milk cheeses: medium cheddar, sharp cheddar, Jalapeño Jack and Monterey Jack. They were sold in 8-ounce and 16-ounce packages at retail stores nationwide and in 5-pound loaves to food service customers.
Outbreak details
The FDA and CDC have confirmed 13 cases of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli across 10 states, with illness onsets running from July 7 through Aug. 26. Eight people have been hospitalized.
Three developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a serious complication that can cause kidney failure. No deaths have been reported. The average age of those sickened is 5 years old.
Of nine people interviewed, all nine reported eating Sierra Nevada Graziers cheese in the week before they got sick.
California has three confirmed cases.
Two are the San Diego County children. Sayone Thihalolipavan, the county's public health officer, said the county's epidemiology team helped bring the recall to light. "Raw milk products like unpasteurized cheese can carry dangerous bacteria, including Shiga toxin-producing E. coli," Thihalolipavan said on Sept. 25. "These infections can cause severe illness, especially in young children, pregnant women, older adults and people with weakened immune systems."
What to do
County health officials recommend residents take these steps:
- Do not eat any Sierra Nevada Graziers raw milk cheese.
- Throw it away or return it for a refund. Check refrigerators and freezers because the cheese has a long shelf life.
- Clean and sanitize all surfaces and utensils that touched the cheese with hot, soapy water.
- Seek medical attention if you develop symptoms, especially bloody diarrhea, severe stomach cramps or signs of dehydration.
E. coli symptoms can appear anywhere from a few days to nine days after eating contaminated food, according to the FDA.
Sierra Nevada Cheese Company, based in Willows in Glenn County, California, initiated the voluntary recall on Thursday, Sept. 24, after the FDA contacted the company about the outbreak, Fox 5 San Diego reported. The company said in a social media post that it expanded the recall to cover all Graziers raw milk cheese products.
The county has shared recall information with local retailers. The FDA's investigation is ongoing. Residents can visit the FDA's outbreak investigation page for updates.
