Cheese at Costco Connected to E.coli Cases

The New Mexico Department of Health has confirmed an outbreak strain of E.coli in an intact sample of cheese sold at Costco stores.

The Bravo Farms Dutch Style Raw Milk Gouda Cheese was offered for sale and for in-store tasting between Oct. 5 and Nov. 1 at Costco stores in San Diego, as well as in Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico and Nevada.
     
Health officials said at least 37 people became sick earlier this month.

Robert Wangeman, of San Diego County's Health and Human Services epidemiology program, said he had not heard of the situation. Per state law, health-care providers must report any cases of E.coli 0157 illness to their respective epidemiology programs.
     
New Mexico state epidemiologist Dr. C. Mack Sewell credits cooperation among various local, state and federal agencies for stopping an outbreak of a potentially harmful organism.
     
Federal health and agriculture officials have issued alerts to consumers and health professionals.