Campylobacter is one of the most common bacterial causes of diarrheal illness in the United States. The Campylobacter organism is a group of spiral-shaped bacteria that can cause disease in both humans and animals. The majority of human illness from Campylobacter can be attributed to one species, Campylobacter jejuni. Most people with a Campylobacter infection experience diarrhea, cramping, abdominal pain, and fever within 2 to 5 days of exposure. The illness typically lasts for 1 week. Campylobacter infections are self-limiting and virtually all persons recover without any specific treatment. Most cases of Campylobacter are associated with handling and/or consuming raw or undercooked poultry meat. Other vehicles less commonly associated with Campylobacter infections include drinking unpasteurized milk or contaminated water. One of the best ways to prevent a Campylobacter infection is to cook all poultry thoroughly as well as hand washing before and after handling raw foods of animal origin.

Table 1: Campylobacter Infections in Maryland residents from 1998 - 2002

Graph1: 5-year trend Campylobacter in Maryland residents 1998-2002

Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene
Epidemiology and Disease Control Program
Emerging Infections Program
201 W. Preston St., 3rd Floor
Baltimore, MD 21201
Phone: 410-767-6234
Fax: 410-725-4825
Email: MDEIP@dhmh.state.md.us