Cryptosporidium

The week of August 24th, raw goat milk was produced, sold and distributed by Treasured Sunrise Acres in Parma.

 

Test results indicate the milk was positive for the pathogen, cryptosporidium.  The Idaho State Department of Agriculture (ISDA) has issued a hold order to Treasured Sunrise Acres, halting all raw milk sales until further notice.  If you purchased raw goat or cow milk from Treasured Sunrise Acres, or any of its raw milk retail outlets either on or after August 24th, officials from Treasured Sunrise Acres and ISDA ask that you discontinue consumption and discard the product. I called State of Idaho veterinarian Dr. Scott Leibsle to learn about cryptosporidium: “Cryptosporidiumis a protozoal parasite that causes most commonly diarrhea in young animals and people. How is it picked up by the goat itself? The organism is transmitted via fecal oral contamination so if there is some source of manure that is consumed by the animal, that causes it. What are your thoughts about raw milk versus pasteurized milk? Raw milk is a consumer’s choice. There are thousands of people across the country that consume raw milk every day without any problem and the department of agriculture here in Idaho performs a battery of tests on all raw milk producers regularly in order to do milk quality testing to certify that they are subject to certain rules and regulations. Pasteurized milk is guaranteed to be pathogen free.