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Cause:
Bacteria in the genus
Campylobacter, most commonly C. jejuni.
Illness and treatment:
Symptoms include
diarrhea, sometimes containing blood, abdominal pain,
fatigue, fever, and vomiting. Most persons will recover
without treatment; however serious complications can occur.
Sources:
Animals such as cattle,
puppies, kittens, swine, sheep, rodents and birds are the
reservoir. Contamination of raw poultry meat is very common.
Exposure may also be through direct animal contact.
Additional risks:
Those with weakened
immune systems are at increased risk for infection.
Prevention:
Avoid eating undercooked poultry and unpasteurized dairy
products. Thoroughly clean cutting boards and counters used
for raw meat or poultry to prevent contamination of other
foods. Wash hands after handling animals, bird feces, or raw
meat, particularly poultry.
Recent Washington trends:
Campylobacteriosis is the most commonly reported enteric
illness in Washington with 900 to 1,100 reports each year.
Outbreaks involving multiple persons and person-to-person
spread are relatively uncommon. Infections are reported most
commonly in children and during the summer months.
2008:
1,069 cases were reported
(16.2 cases/100,000 population).
Purpose of Reporting and
Surveillance
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To determine if there is a
source of infection of public health concern (e.g., a
commercial raw milk dairy or public water supply) and to
stop transmission from such a source.
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When the source of infection
appears to pose a risk to only a few individuals (e.g., a
puppy with diarrhea or a private water supply), to inform
those individuals how they can reduce their risk of
exposure.
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To identify outbreaks and other
undiagnosed cases.
Legal Reporting Requirements
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Health care providers:
notifiable to local health jurisdiction within 3 work
days.
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Hospitals: notifiable to
local health jurisdiction within 3 work days.
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Laboratories: no
requirements for reporting.
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Local health
jurisdictions: notifiable to the Washington State
Department of Health (DOH) Communicable Disease
Epidemiology Section (CDES) within 7 days of case
investigation completion or summary information required
within 21 days.
Last
update
November 2009 |
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