Human Campylobacter infection associated with certified raw milk.

Between May 27 and June 18, 1981, 50 individuals in 30 households in suburban Atlanta, Georgia, had a gastrointestinal illness caused by Campylobacter jejuni. Epidemiologic evidence strongly associated consumption of unpasteurized milk with illness. A culture survey confirmed fecal carriage of C. jejuni by cows in the implicated dairy and in a control dairy, but failed to document presence of the organism in the milk. The standard plate counts and leukocyte counts (two indicators of microbiologic quality of milk), facilities, and operating procedures at the implicated dairy were all within accepted levels for production of Grade A raw milk in Georgia. Inasmuch as the parameters used by regulatory officials to determine the wholesomeness of milk were not violated at the implicated dairy, the only means available to ensure the public's health would be proper pasteurization before consumption.