SEPTEMBER 2014 Iris Reyes Research Specialist, National Farm Medicine Center As the dairy industry modernizes, Hispanic immigrant workers play an increasingly important role. Approximately 50% of the dairy workforce in the United States is made up of immigrant workers, largely from Mexico. There are numerous barriers to addressing the health and safety …

DECEMBER 2013 Carrie Klumb Senior Epidemiologist, Minnesota Department of Health In this spotlight story, a mother shares her young daughters’ frightening experiences with E. coli O157:H7 infections. The family chose to share their story, and the knowledge they gained, to help educate others about health risks associated with drinking raw milk …

OCTOBER 2013 Carrie Klumb Senior Epidemiologist, Minnesota Department of Health A Stearns County farmer noticed a 5 month-old calf that began showing atypical behaviors on September 30. The calf was bellowing, going off feed, showing signs of aggression, and mounting other calves in the pen. The farmer recalled seeing a skunk in the pen where the calf …

AUGUST 2013 Carrie Klumb Senior Epidemiologist, Minnesota Department of Health Each year, the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) tests approximately 2,000 wild or domestic animals for rabies and on average 40 to 100 animals test positive. Rabies is a fatal neurologic disease caused by a virus that is spread through saliva. Typically the virus is spread …

APRIL 2013 Iris Reyes and Teresa Schnetzer While needlestick injuries are usually minor, certain injection related injuries are very serious. Studies have shown that 80% of farm workers and 73% of swine veterinarians working in animal agriculture have experienced a needlestick injury. While most needlestick injuries can produce skin irritation or allergic …