Campylobacter enteritis

Bacteria - Campylobacter jejuni

Symptoms - Fever, diarrhea, abdominal cramps, nausea, vomiting, malaise

Sources - The bacteria can be found within the intestines of birds.  Campylobacter jejuni can virtually be found on all raw poultry meat.  Chicken must always be cooked fully, as eating undercooked chicken is one of the most frequent sources of this infection.  Another common source of this infection is from consuming foods that have been inproperly stored under raw chicken, as raw chicken juices can drip from the chicken and contaminate the food items below.

Incubation Period - After exposure, the onset of illness is usually within 1-10 days.  On average however, symptoms begin within 3-5 days.

Duration of Illness - The illness can persist anywhere from 1 day to several weeks, of which the majority of individuals who become sick usually recover in less than a week.

Treatment - In most cases, the illness tends to be mild and resolves itself within a few days after onset.  In some cases, the presence of a high fever or prolonged symptoms may require antibiotic treatment.

Prevention -  Poultry meat should be cooked thoroughly so that the meat is no longer pink.  Hands should be thoroughly washed after handling raw meat and before handling ready to eat foods.  All raw poultry products, as with all raw meats, must be stored on the bottom shelf of a refrigeration unit or completely away from ready to eats foods.

For additional information on Campylobacter jejuni, Click Here

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