The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) has issued a public health order shutting down the Kinikin Corner Dairy LLC after 11 people were sickened by campylobacter, a common food-borne bacteria.  State health officials say at least 10 people who have gotten sick since March 10 reported drinking raw milk, eight of them getting milk from Kinikin.

The CDPHE said it is now contacting approximately 200 people who are participants in the Kinikin Corner Dairy LLC cow-share operation.  Those participants buy shares of a cow and receive raw, unpasteurized milk in return.  The public health order directs Kinikin to immediately cease distributing or making available for distribution raw milk and raw-milk products produced at Kinikin until further notice.  The state is working with Montrose County Health and Human Services officials on the investigation of the outbreak.

Of the 10 cases connected to raw milk, four people live in Montrose County, two live in Garfield County and one each lives in Delta, Eagle, Ouray and San Miguel counties.

Campylobacter is considered the most common cause of bacterial food-borne illness in the United States.  Symptoms include fever, diarrhea, abdominal cramps and vomiting.  People with those symptoms should contact their health-care providers.