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SANTA FE, NEW MEXICO — Health officials have warned residents to avoid raw dairy products after a newborn died from a Listeria infection. They believed the death was most likely linked to unpasteurized milk consumed during pregnancy.
Officials of the New Mexico Department of Health (NMDOH) said the infant’s mother drank raw milk while pregnant.
Raw milk and Listeria
Investigators have not yet confirmed the source of the infection. But the case underscores the significant risks posed by raw dairy products to pregnant women, infants, and older adults. It also poses a risk to people with weakened immune systems.
“Individuals who are pregnant should only consume pasteurized milk products to help prevent illnesses and deaths in newborns,” said Dr. Chad Smelser, deputy state epidemiologist at NMDOH.
Listeria is a bacterium commonly associated with unpasteurized dairy and certain ready-to-eat foods. It can cause miscarriage, stillbirth, premature birth, or fatal infections in newborns—even if the pregnant person experiences only mild symptoms.
It is the third leading cause of death due to foodborne diseases in the United States. Each year, there are 1,250 people infected with listeria, and around 172 die from the infection, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The bacteria can also invade the bloodstream of people with weakened immune systems, which might lead to serious illness or death.
Why pasteurization matters
Pasteurization is the process of heating milk briefly to a temperature high enough to kill harmful germs. Unpasteurized raw milk may contain pathogens that can cause diseases.
Health officials have also warned that consuming raw milk products can expose people to avian influenza, Brucella, tuberculosis, Salmonella, Campylobacter, Cryptosporidium, and E. coli. Children under five and adults over 65 are vulnerable to some of these infections.
New Mexico Secretary of Agriculture Jeff M. Witte said pasteurization is necessary to make dairy products safe for consumption.
“New Mexico’s dairy producers work hard to provide safe, wholesome products, and pasteurization is a vital part of that process,” Witte said.
“Consumers, particularly those at higher risk, are encouraged to choose pasteurized dairy products to reduce the risk of serious foodborne illness,” he added.
Health officials urged the public to seek immediate medical care if they experience symptoms of Listeria infection.