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Campylobacter

Campylobacter is a food borne disease that is usually caused by eating raw or under cooked poultry, or drinking unpasturized milk or contaminated water.

When a bird is slaughtered organisms can be transferred from the intestines to the meat. It is present in giblets, especially the liver.

Unpasturized milk can become infected if the cow has an infection in her udder or the milk is contaminated with infected feces from cows or wild birds.

It is one of the most common causes of diarrheal illness in the United States and occurs more often in the summer months.

Signs & Symptoms: appear within 2-5 days after exposure and can last a week.

• Diarrhea
• Cramping and Abdominal Pain
• Fever
• Nausea and Vomitting

Prevention:

• Cook all poultry products thoroughly to an internal temperature of 165°F
• Wash hands with soap and water before preparing food and after handling raw food.
• Prevent cross contamination by using separate cutting boards for poultry.
• Avoid drinking unpasturized milk and untreated surface water.
• Wash hands with soap and water after contact with pet feces.
• Persons with diarrhea should wash their hands frequently to reduce risk of spreading infection to others