Raw Milk E. coli Outbreak Expands: 9 Sick, 1 Child with Kidney Failure, 100% Linked to Unpasteurized Dairy

A multi-state E. coli outbreak linked to raw milk and cheese has sickened nine people, including a child who developed a life-threatening kidney condition. The outbreak, first noted in March 2026, has now expanded with two new cases reported from California. Illnesses span from September 2025 to February 2026, with over half of the victims being children under five years old. Three people have been hospitalized, and one person—a child—developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a severe complication that can lead to kidney failure.

Public health investigators have identified a direct and alarming link: 100% of the eight patients interviewed reported consuming or being served unpasteurized milk or cheese in the week before falling ill. This figure starkly contrasts with the general population, where only 6.4% of respondents in a national survey report consuming raw dairy products. The outbreak strain has been reported across three states: California (7 cases), Florida (1), and Texas (1).

The investigation is ongoing, with state and local officials intensifying interviews to trace the exact source. The disproportionate impact on young children raises significant public health concerns, as their immune systems are more vulnerable to severe outcomes from pathogens like E. coli. While no deaths have been reported, the single case of HUS underscores the serious risks associated with consuming unpasteurized dairy products, which bypass the safety step of pasteurization designed to kill harmful bacteria.