Contaminated raw milk delivered to several suburbs, health officials say

The Illinois Department of Public Health issued a warning Wednesday about a batch of bacteria-tainted raw milk that has been delivered to locations in Des Plaines, Elgin, Downers Grove and Chicago.

The warning stems from an outbreak of campylobacteriosis that originated at a Middlebury, Ind. dairy. Michigan officials have identified 18 cases of infection tied to milk consumption and alerted neighboring states.

The IDPH is investigating at least one possible case in Illinois, said spokeswoman Kelly Jakubek.

Illinois prevents the sale of raw - or unpasteurized - milk in stores, so it can only be obtained directly at farms or through cow shares, where consumers pay for the care of a cow and get raw milk in exchange.

Symptoms of campylobacteriosis include muscle aches, fever, cramps and diarrhea leading to gastrointestinal illness, which can be treated with antibiotics. Symptoms pop up two or three days after consumption and last up to 10 days.

Consumers of raw milk claim it has better health benefits compared to pasteurized milk. The public health department warns that raw milk and raw milk products like cheese and yogurt can be contaminated with bacteria that can cause serious illness.