MDH links newborn’s listeria death to mom’s raw milk
State health officials say a Minnesota newborn likely died of listeriosis after the mother drank unpasteurized (raw) milk while pregnant, in what they are calling a preventable tragedy. The Minnesota Department of Health traced the infection to raw milk exposure and is warning pregnant people and those with weakened immune systems statewide — including in the Twin Cities — that even small amounts of unpasteurized dairy can carry Listeria monocytogenes capable of crossing the placenta and killing a fetus or newborn. Investigators say the case underscores long‑standing CDC and MDH guidance against raw milk, which remains legal to buy directly from some farms under Minnesota law despite repeated outbreaks. MDH is urging clinicians to reinforce pasteurization messages in prenatal visits and says it is monitoring for any additional related illnesses.
📌 Key Facts
- A Minnesota newborn died from listeriosis that MDH says was likely caused by the mother drinking raw (unpasteurized) milk during pregnancy.
- MDH is warning pregnant people, older adults, and immunocompromised residents statewide, including in the Twin Cities, to avoid all raw milk and unpasteurized dairy products.
- Raw milk sales remain legal in limited circumstances in Minnesota, and MDH says this case illustrates the continuing, severe risks despite those allowances.
📊 Relevant Data
Hispanics have a 1.73 times higher incidence rate of nonpregnancy-associated invasive listeriosis compared to non-Hispanic Whites, with rates of 0.48 per 100,000 for Hispanics versus 0.28 per 100,000 overall excluding pregnant females.
Differences Among Incidence Rates of Invasive Listeriosis in the US FoodNet Population by Age, Sex, Race/Ethnicity, and Pregnancy Status, 2008–2016 — Foodborne Pathogens and Disease
Among females of childbearing age (15–44 years), pregnant Hispanic females have a 3.13 times higher incidence rate of listeriosis compared to non-Hispanic White females.
Differences Among Incidence Rates of Invasive Listeriosis in the US FoodNet Population by Age, Sex, Race/Ethnicity, and Pregnancy Status, 2008–2016 — Foodborne Pathogens and Disease
Non-Hispanic Blacks have a 1.49 times higher incidence rate of nonpregnancy-associated invasive listeriosis compared to non-Hispanic Whites.
Differences Among Incidence Rates of Invasive Listeriosis in the US FoodNet Population by Age, Sex, Race/Ethnicity, and Pregnancy Status, 2008–2016 — Foodborne Pathogens and Disease
Non-Hispanic Asians have a 1.57 times higher incidence rate of nonpregnancy-associated invasive listeriosis compared to non-Hispanic Whites.
Differences Among Incidence Rates of Invasive Listeriosis in the US FoodNet Population by Age, Sex, Race/Ethnicity, and Pregnancy Status, 2008–2016 — Foodborne Pathogens and Disease
Unpasteurized milk, consumed by only 3.2% of the population, and cheese, consumed by only 1.6% of the population, caused 96% of illnesses caused by contaminated dairy products.
Outbreak-Related Disease Burden Associated with Consumption of Unpasteurized Cow’s Milk and Cheese, United States, 2009–2014 — Emerging Infectious Diseases
📰 Source Timeline (1)
Follow how coverage of this story developed over time