Raw Milk Cheese Linked to E. Coli Outbreak Sickens Two San Diego County Children

County public health officials are warning residents not to eat Sierra Nevada Graziers raw milk cheese after San Diego County epidemiologists identified a multi-state Shiga toxin-producing E. coli outbreak linked to the product, the county announced.

The outbreak has sickened 13 people across 10 states, including two San Diego County children under the age of 5. The average age of the 13 confirmed cases is 5 years old, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Three cases have been identified in California and three in Nevada, with individual cases reported in Oregon, Utah, Colorado, Kentucky, Tennessee, Georgia, and Michigan.

Sierra Nevada Graziers initiated a voluntary recall Sept. 25 for its grass-fed raw milk cheeses: medium cheddar, sharp cheddar, jalapeño jack, and Monterey jack. Products were sold in 8-ounce and 16-ounce packages at retail stores and in 5-pound loaves to food service customers and wholesalers.

"We are deeply grateful for the rigorous work of our epidemiology team, whose swift detection helped bring this recall to light," said County Public Health Officer Sayone Thihalolipavan, MD, MPH. "Raw milk products like unpasteurized cheese can carry dangerous bacteria, including Shiga toxin-producing E. coli. These infections can cause severe illness, especially in young children, pregnant women, older adults, and people with weakened immune systems."

E. coli can cause stomach cramps, diarrhea, and vomiting. Severe cases may result in hemolytic uremic syndrome, a serious condition that can lead to kidney failure.

The county recommends discarding any of the recalled products, cleaning and sanitizing all surfaces and utensils that may have come into contact with them using hot soapy water, and seeking medical attention immediately for symptoms consistent with E. coli infection — particularly bloody diarrhea, severe abdominal cramps, or signs of dehydration.

The county has shared product information with local retailers.