Homemade unpasteurized fresh cheese has sickened at least two dozen people in Minnesota. The outbreak may be over, but state officials say the cases demonstrate the dangers of eating raw dairy products.
At least 25 Minnesotans have been sickened with salmonellosis linked to eating a state health officials said.
The Minnesota Department of Health, the Minnesota Department of Agriculture and the city of Minneapolis have been investigating the outbreak and the source of the raw milk used to make the raw Mexican-style cheese, queso fresco, since the first cases were detected in late April.
MDH confirmed 18 cases of infection with the same strain of Salmonella. An additional seven cases of illness occurred among family members or other contacts of confirmed cases, but no laboratory specimens were available. The individuals became ill between March 28 and April 24. Of the 25 cases, 15 were hospitalized. All have recovered.
Many cases reported eating unpasteurized queso fresco purchased or received from an individual who made the product in a private home. Investigators have determined that the individual made home deliveries and also may have sold the product on a street corner near East Lake Street.
Anyone who purchased the product should throw it away.
