Pennsylvania man paralyzed after drinking raw milk tainted with Campylobacter

A western Pennsylvania man says raw milk contaminated with Campylobacter caused him to contract a paralyzing form of Guillain-Barre syndrome.

According to a report from Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, 67-year-old James Orchard and his wife, Maureen, began drinking raw milk because of the purported health benefits. He is now hospitalized in Pittsburgh, living in intensive care for the past two weeks.

Raw milk contains probiotic bacteria that is believed to aid digestion and ward off other illness. Unlike most milk available at grocery stores, raw milk has not been pasteurized, thus making it more prone to harmful bacteria.

Listeria monocytogenes and Campylobacter are common reasons why raw milk is recalled.

In this case, the Orchards purchased raw milk from Pasture Maid Creamery LLC, a Lawrence County, Pennsylvania, dairy. The family has hired an attorney and actively pursuing a case against the dairy.

Pennsylvania law requires dairies desiring to sell raw milk to obtain special licensing. On April 8, Commonwealth officials revoked that license for Pasture Maid Creamery because tests on its raw milk produced positive results for Campylobacter.