The New Mexico Department of Health says the recent death of an infant from listeria could be linked to raw milk. According to the Heath Department, officials say the infant’s listeria infection could be linked to unpasteurized milk that was consumed by the infant’s mother during pregnancy. Health officials say investigators cannot pinpoint the exact cause, they say the death highlights the risk raw dairy poses to pregnant women, children and elderly New Mexicans. The health department says raw milk can contain germs that cause diseases. “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 for the New Mexican Department of Health.Pasteurization is a process of briefly heating milk to a high enough temperature to kill germs.
The New Mexico Department of Health says the recent death of an infant from listeria could be linked to raw milk.
According to the Heath Department, officials say the infant’s listeria infection could be linked to unpasteurized milk that was consumed by the infant’s mother during pregnancy.
Health officials say investigators cannot pinpoint the exact cause, they say the death highlights the risk raw dairy poses to pregnant women, children and elderly New Mexicans.
The health department says raw milk can contain germs that cause diseases.
“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 for the New Mexican Department of Health.
Pasteurization is a process of briefly heating milk to a high enough temperature to kill germs.
