More people reported sick from milk at western, Pa. dairy

WEST ALIQUIPPA, Pa. (AP) — State health officials say the number of people sickened by bacteria-tainted milk from a western Pennsylvania dairy has continued to rise over the weekend.

Health department officials say eight people in Beaver County, where Brunton Dairy is located, and six in neighboring Allegheny County have been sickened by the Yersinia bacteria. Those affected range in age from 1 to 75.

The 175-year-old, family owned dairy say on its web site it has suspended milk production while it works with state health and agriculture officials to pinpoint the problem.

The bacteria can cause fever, abdominal pain and diarrhea four to seven days after exposure to it. The symptoms can then last from one to three weeks and, in rare cases, the bacteria can enter the bloodstream and cause other complications.

The dairy is about 25 miles northwest of Pittsburgh.