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Campylobacter Infection
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What is Campylobacter Infection
Campylobacter infection is diarrhea caused by bacteria called Campylobacter
jejuni and rarely by C. coli, C. larii and C. fetus.
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How do people get it?
- Eating of food contaminated with the bacteria
- Drinking water contaminated with the bacteria.
- Exposure to live animals that are carrying the bacteria in their intestinal tract (bowel).
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What are the signs and symptoms?
Symptoms of Campylobacter can appear
within 2 and 5 days, but maybe as long as 10 days, after getting the bacteria
into your body. Symptoms are diarrhea (often bloody) abdominal (stomach) pain,
tiredness, fever and nausea and/or vomiting.
Is it contagious?
Person to person spread is not common. Infected persons should only stay home from
work or school if they have
diarrhea.
How is it spread?
Campylobacter is spread through eating of
undercooked meat, drinking of contaminated water or raw milk; contact with
infected farm animals and household pets especially oung kittens or puppies. Even having dirty
hands after petting an animal is enough to cause infection.
What can people do?
- Ensure
that meats are thoroughly cooked especially poultry
- Clean
cutting boards between cutting meat and any other food
- Drink
only pasteurized milk and apple cider
- Wash
hands after contact with animals and before eating
- See
a doctor if symptoms do not go away.
- Antibiotic treatment is usually not required but
may be needed in more severe cases.
- Test
your well water at least 3 times per year.
Campylobacter is a reportable disease and must be reported to the Local Medical Officer of Health
under the Health Protection and Promotion Act.
If you have any questions or concerns, please call the Health Information Line
at
the Brant County Health Unit 519-753-4937 extension 259
Revised 08/2009
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Last Updated ( Wednesday, 14 October 2009 )
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Health Topics