Meghan Sebastianski1, Natalie A Bridger2, Robin M Featherstone1,3, Joan L Robinson4,5,6. 1. Alberta Strategy for Patient-Oriented Research (SPOR) SUPPORT Unit Knowledge Translation Platform, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. 2. Department of Pediatrics, Memorial University, St. John's, Newfoundland, Canada. 3. Alberta Research Centre for Health Evidence (ARCHE), University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. 4. Division of Pediatric Infectious Disease, Department of Pediatrics, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. jr3@ualberta.ca. 5. Stollery Children's Hospital, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. jr3@ualberta.ca. 6. 3-556 Edmonton Clinical Health Academy, 11405-87 Ave, Edmonton, Alberta, T6G 1C9, Canada. jr3@ualberta.ca.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Pasteurization kills harmful microorganisms found in milk. While consumption of unpasteurized milk and its products is discouraged due to increased risk of infections, some individuals prefer unpasteurized dairy products. Our objective was to estimate the burden of illness from outbreaks arising from consumption of unpasteurized and pasteurized dairy products in Canada and the United States. METHODS: We conducted a systematic review of dairy-associated outbreaks in Canada and the USA from 2007 onward. We searched MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane Library, TRIP Database for guidelines, and North American government agency websites up to October 2020. We included outbreak reports where the pathogenic microbe was confirmed in both the patient and the dairy product through laboratory testing. SYNTHESIS: Thirty-two disease outbreaks were linked to dairy consumption. Twenty outbreaks involving unpasteurized products resulted in 449 confirmed cases of illness, 124 hospitalizations, and five deaths. Twelve outbreaks involving pasteurized products resulted in 174 confirmed cases of illness, 134 hospitalizations, 17 deaths, and seven fetal losses. Listeria accounted for 10 out of 12 outbreaks from pasteurized products from 2007 through 2020. CONCLUSION: Public warnings about the risk of unpasteurized dairy consumption need to continue and pregnant women and immunocompromised hosts need to be made aware of foods at high risk of contamination with Listeria.
OBJECTIVE: Pasteurization kills harmful microorganisms found in milk. While consumption of unpasteurized milk and its products is discouraged due to increased risk of infections, some individuals prefer unpasteurized dairy products. Our objective was to estimate the burden of illness from outbreaks arising from consumption of unpasteurized and pasteurized dairy products in Canada and the United States. METHODS: We conducted a systematic review of dairy-associated outbreaks in Canada and the USA from 2007 onward. We searched MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane Library, TRIP Database for guidelines, and North American government agency websites up to October 2020. We included outbreak reports where the pathogenic microbe was confirmed in both the patient and the dairy product through laboratory testing. SYNTHESIS: Thirty-two disease outbreaks were linked to dairy consumption. Twenty outbreaks involving unpasteurized products resulted in 449 confirmed cases of illness, 124 hospitalizations, and five deaths. Twelve outbreaks involving pasteurized products resulted in 174 confirmed cases of illness, 134 hospitalizations, 17 deaths, and seven fetal losses. Listeria accounted for 10 out of 12 outbreaks from pasteurized products from 2007 through 2020. CONCLUSION: Public warnings about the risk of unpasteurized dairy consumption need to continue and pregnant women and immunocompromised hosts need to be made aware of foods at high risk of contamination with Listeria.
Authors: K A Jackson; M Biggerstaff; M Tobin-D'Angelo; D Sweat; R Klos; J Nosari; O Garrison; E Boothe; L Saathoff-Huber; L Hainstock; R P Fagan Journal: J Food Prot Date: 2011-06 Impact factor: 2.077
Authors: Adam J Langer; Tracy Ayers; Julian Grass; Michael Lynch; Frederick J Angulo; Barbara E Mahon Journal: Emerg Infect Dis Date: 2012-03 Impact factor: 6.883
Authors: K E Heiman; V B Garalde; M Gronostaj; K A Jackson; S Beam; L Joseph; A Saupe; E Ricotta; H Waechter; A Wellman; M Adams-Cameron; G Ray; A Fields; Y Chen; A Datta; L Burall; A Sabol; Z Kucerova; E Trees; M Metz; P Leblanc; S Lance; P M Griffin; R V Tauxe; B J Silk Journal: Epidemiol Infect Date: 2015-06-30 Impact factor: 4.434