Cryptosporidium in milk

Australia: At least five cases of Cryptosporidium have been linked to unpasteurised cow’s milk from Moo View Dairy.

MS & HJ Tyler is recalling 1L, 2L and 3L raw milk which was available for sale online and at farm gate in South Australia.

SA Health said raw cow’s milk from Moo View Dairy must be recalled and it is prohibited from selling and distributing such milk.

Associate Professor Kevin Buckett, SA Health director of public health, said the sale of raw cow’s milk for human consumption is illegal in Australia.

“We’ve confirmed at least five cases where people aged between three and 70 contracted gastrointestinal illness caused by the Cryptosporidium parasite after consuming raw cow’s milk products purchased from Moo View Dairy, and this number is likely to be higher,”​ he said.

"In June we noticed higher than expected numbers of cryptosporidiosis cases and following interviews and investigations, we identified Moo View Dairy’s raw cow’s milk as a common factor between five cases. We’ve also identified another two potential cases that implicate raw cow’s milk as the cause of illness."​

Buckett added pasteurisation is crucial because it kills pathogens without altering flavour of milk or adversely affecting nutritional value.​