LAS CRUCES, N.M. -- A New Mexico infant is dead and another is getting treatment at a hospital for a rare illness called enterobacter sakazakii.

The New Mexico Department of Health said the illness is sometimes associated with baby formula.

A baby boy in Otero County has died from the bloodstream and central nervous system infection.

Now the state is advising safe ways to feed infants, including breastfeeding.

“We're doing lab tests right now we're working with the Centers for Disease Control, and the Food and Drug Administration to look at every possible avenue. Right now it hasn't been linked to any kind of formula,” said Chris Minnick, spokesman for the Department of Health.

A member of the La Leche League International said there are many ways that bottle-fed babies can get sick.

“Unfortunately by its inherent makeup it has to be produced. It has to be stored. It has to be transported. It has to be prepared and then it has to be delivered to the child through a bottle. That just offers many chance opportunities for contamination now matter how careful you are,” said Renee Beltran with La Leche.

She said breastfeeding offers more benefits.

“Breast milk can not be contaminated. It can't its made within the human body and it's delivered via the human body directly to the child,” Beltran said.

The World Health Organization recommends breastfeeding up to two years, offering cancer, diabetes, and obesity prevention for both mom and child, but in the U.S., it's not the trend.

“More individuals are initiating breastfeeding. They are choosing to breast feed at the onset, but I'm sad to say I'm not seeing those numbers continue,” Beltran said.

The Health Department said parents should not stop feeding their babies formula. The infants who tested positive had different strains and are not linked.