Raw milk warning to Royal Welsh visitors after four fall ill

FOUR people have been struck down with a severe case of food poisoning linked to unpasteurised or “raw” cow’s milk sold at the Royal Welsh Show.

Public Health Wales says it is investigating four cases of campylobacter linked with milk from Penlan y Môr farm near New Quay, Ceredigion.

The four cases all consumed or bought the milk at Aberystwyth Farmer’s Market after June 1.

But visitors to the Royal Welsh Show in Builth Wells may also have sampled or bought the milk which was available there on Wednesday, 26 July.

Symptoms of the campylobacter bug include inpersistent nausea, diarrhoea, stomach cramps, and fever.

People with a weakened immune system are particularly vulnerable to food poisoning and are strongly advised not to consume unpasteurised milk and cream. Vulnerable groups include pregnant women, infants, children, and older people.

Dr Brendan Mason, consultant in communicable disease control for Public Health Wales, said: “If you have consumed Penlan y Môr unpasteurised milk any time since 1 June, including at the Royal Welsh Show on Wednesday 26 July, and you are experiencing symptoms of campylobacter infection, we want to hear from you. The symptoms of campylobacter are persistent nausea, diarrhoea, stomach cramps and a fever. Sometimes vomiting and bloody diarrhoea may also develop.

“It is a very unpleasant infection, and more serious complications can occur.

“Anyone worried about their symptoms should seek medical advice.

“We will continue to monitor the situation.”