Personal Injury Law

Raw Milk E. coli and Campylobacter Illnesses - A Big Cold Glass of Reality

By Bill Marler, Esq.

I know my friends over at Weston Price Association and the Complete Patient think I spend all my time beating up on raw milk (hmm, did they notice what I did to Cargill last week?).  What really gets to me about the "raw milkies," is their religious passion for their personal freedom trumping the fact that people get very sick from drinking raw milk on more than a few occasions.  It also drives me a bit crazy how they see everything as a evil conspiracy - that all the outbreak investigations are wrong - or that there must have been something wrong with the victim.  It is a time for a big cold glass of reality.  Here is a shortened version of what happened in the raw milk outbreaks that I have been involved with:

Grace Harbor Farms

M.S. acquired an E. coli O157:H7 infection from consumption of raw milk in September, 2006. He developed a fever, nausea, and severe diarrhea. When the diarrhea turned bloody, M.S. was taken to his physician. Out of concern that he was at risk for the development of hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), M.S. was transported to the local children's hospital. M.S. was admitted to the hospital on September 22. There, MS was treated for his ongoing infection and monitored for signs of HUS. The severity of his symptoms required that MS be hospitalized through October 2. Thankfully, MS did not develop HUS. Medical bills for the hospitalization exceeded $30,000.

Organic Pastures

Chris Martin, then age nine, developed an E. coli O157:H7 infection in September, 2006 following consumption of raw milk. He was hospitalized beginning on September 8, suffering from severe gastrointestinal symptoms, including bloody diarrhea. Shortly thereafter, he developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). In an effort to properly treat his rapidly deteriorating condition, Chris was moved to multiple medical facilities, twice by life-flight. His HUS was remarkably severe, marked by prolonged renal failure, pancreatitis, and severe cardiac involvement. He required 18 days of renal replacement therapy. On two occasions his cardiac problems became so severe that he was placed on a ventilator. At several junctures, the possibility that he might survive was very real. Ultimately he was hospitalized through November 2, after incurring over $550,000 in medical bills. Renal experts have opined that Chris is likely to develop severe renal complications in the future. These complications include end stage renal disease (ESRD) and kidney transplant.

Lauren Herzog developed an E. coli O157:H7 infection in September, 2006, as the result of consumption of raw milk. She was 11 years old at the time. Lauren was hospitalized beginning on September 11. Shortly thereafter, Lauren began to developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) and was transferred to specialty care facility. Lauren's bout with HUS was severe. Her renal failure was prolonged, and she required 20 days of dialysis. She also suffered from pancreatitis and persistent high blood pressure. In late September, her kidneys finally began producing urine again, and she was gradually prepared for discharge. She was then discharged on October 3, but only briefly. A seizure led to a re-admittance to the hospital from October 6 through October 14. Since her second discharge, Lauren has continued to show residual kidney deficiency, and remains under the care of a nephrologist. To date, medical expenses exceed $280,000. Renal experts believe that Lauren is likely to suffer severe renal complications in the future. These complications include end stage renal disease (ESRD) and kidney transplant.

Herb Depot/Autum Olives Farms

Larry Pedersen had just turned one year old when he developed an E. coli O157:H7 in May 2008. When his diarrhea turned bloody, his parents took him for medical treatment. He was admitted to the hospital on May 8. Shortly thereafter, Larry developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) and was transferred to a specialty care facility. As is typical of HUS, Larry was then suffering from acute renal failure. He was started on dialysis, which was necessary at that point for his survival. He required 15 days of dialysis before his kidneys recovered enough to function on their own. Larry was discharged on May 29, to continue recovery and treatment on an outpatient basis. The medical bills associated with his care approached $90,000. As the result of damage to his kidneys suffered during his bout with HUS, Larry is at significant risk for severe renal complications in the future. These complications include end stage renal disease (ESRD) and kidney transplant.

Nicole Riggs developed an E. coli O157:H7 infection in May, 2008 from consumption of raw goat's milk. She was nine years old at the time. Nicole suffered from symptoms typical of E. coli O157:H7 infections – bloody diarrhea, cramping, and nausea – that quickly intensified and led to her hospitalization on May 8, 2008. Once hospitalized, Nicole developed renal failure, anemia, and thrombocytopenia (low platelet count) indicating that she was developing HUS. She was transferred to a Children's hospital and started on dialysis in order to save her life. She received dialysis for 18 days. Nicole's renal function slowly returned to the point that she was deemed healthy enough for discharge on June 1. After discharge, she remained under the care of a nephrologist. In addition, damage suffered during her HUS has required that her gall bladder be removed. Medical costs to this point exceed $180,000. As the result of damage to her kidneys suffered during her bout with HUS, Nicole is at significant risk for severe renal complications in the future. These complications include end stage renal disease (ESRD) and kidney transplant.

Noah Ennis developed an E. coli O157:H7 infection in May, 2008 after consumption of raw goat's milk. He was two years old at the time. He suffered from bloody diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and painful cramps. He received medical treatment on multiple occasions at both his regular physician's office, and the emergency room. Medical bills totaled over $1,600.

Alexandre EcoDairy Farm

Mari Tardiff was one of those sickened in the 2008 outbreak of campylobacter connected to raw milk sold by Alexandre EcoDairy Farm. As a result of her campylobacter infection, Mari developed
Guillain-Barré syndrome, or GBS, a potentially fatal inflammatory disorder. GBS is an infrequent, but well known risk of campylobacter infection. By the time she was hospitalized in mid June, Mari was essentially paralyzed. On June 15, Mari was intubated and placed on mechanical ventilation. For weeks on end, Mari's condition remained unchanged. She was heavily sedated, unable to move, and entirely dependent on mechanical ventilation for survival.

In August, there were indications of slight improvement, and the very slow process of weaning Mari off mechanical ventilation began. At the outset, it was not clear that the process was successful. Through incredible effort on Mari's part, she was fully weaned off mechanical ventilation by August 20, and discharged to a rehabilitation facility. She spent more than two months at the rehabilitation facility diligently attempting to re-acquire the ability to speak, breathe, and move her arms and legs on her own. She was discharged home on November 1, still in need of essentially 24 hour care. Since that time, she has worked every day toward achieving her goal, as yet unreached, of walking again. Medical expenses to date exceed $800,000.

Dee Creek

Nicole and Megan Beyers both suffered E. coli O157:H7 infections linked to raw milk consumption in December, 2005. Nicole fell ill first, and by December 6, both girls were suffering from diarrhea, nausea, and cramps. On December 10, the girls were treated in the emergency room, and tests indicated that Nicole was likely suffering from hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). Nicole was then transferred to a hospital better equipped to handle her serious condition. Nicole remained hospitalized through December 15. Her renal function will have to be monitored for the rest of her life. The girls' medical expenses were approximately $20,000.

Annalise Selby was one year old in December of 2005 when she developed an E. coli O157:H7 infection from consumption of raw milk. Annalise was treated on multiple occasions at her family physician and the local urgent care center between December 5 and December 13. At that point, concerns over unusual lab results and possible HUS prompted consultation with a pediatric nephrologist. Annalise was accordingly admitted to the hospital from December 13 through December 15. Fortunately, her condition did not deteriorate further. The cost of medical treatment exceeded $8,000.

Simsbury Town Farm Dairy

Margot Standish was seven years old in June, 2008, when she became infected with E. coli O157:NM as the result of consumption of raw milk. Her symptoms began in late June, with diarrhea, vomiting, and abdominal cramps. Margot was treated over the period of more than a week by her regular physician, but her condition began to deteriorate, and she was admitted to the hospital on July 8. Laboratory tests conducted that day provided evidence that Margot had been suffering from hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). Thankfully, Margot's renal insufficiency did not deepen to the point that dialysis was required. She remained hospitalized through July 14. Medical bills exceeded $30,000. As a result of her HUS, Margot will need to have her renal function monitored regularly for the rest of her life.

Kalee Prue, a 27 year old mother of one, became infected with E. coli O157:NM in June, 2008, as the result of consumption of raw milk. Her symptoms began in early July, and intensified for several days. On two occasions, Kalee sought treatment in the emergency room. On July 12, it became apparent that she was developing hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). She was then admitted to the hospital on July 13. Kalee's renal failure was complete and prolonged, and she required plasmapharesis from July 13 through August 11. Severe anemia necessitated repeated transfusions with packed red blood cells as well. By the time she was released from the hospital on August 14, she had incurred over $230,000 in medical bills. Kalee has not recovered full renal function. She is at severe risk for long term renal complications, including end stage renal disease (ESRD), dialysis, and transplant.

Full post as published by Marler Blog on December 10, 2009 (boomark / email).