A possible Campylobacter outbreak in McHenry County, Illinois has sickened at least eight people, according to a McHenry County press release. Patients got sick between August 17 and August 30, 2022. That number is four times more cases compared to the previous two weeks, and more than three times more cases in August compared to July 2022. No common source of infection has been identified at this time. Although Campylobacter is the most common cause of diarrhea in the United States, outbreaks, which are defined as two or more unrelated people sickened by the same bacterial strain, from this pathogen are relatively rare. In 2021, there was a Campylobacter outbreak in Washington state linked to Dungeness Creamery raw milk that sickened at least five people. And in 2020, a … [Read more...]
Search Results for: campylobacter
Montana Campylobacter Outbreak Linked to Kennedy Creek Water
A Montana Campylobacter outbreak is linked to the Kennedy Creek watering point, according to Sanders County Environmental Health. About 20 people have been confirmed with this illness in an outbreak that occurred in mid May 2022. Eighteen of those patients consumed water from the Kennedy Creek watering point over a period of about two to three weeks during late April and early May 2022. Thirteen of those patients have seen a healthcare provider; all tested positive for Campylobacter. One linked case was also reported in Flathead County. A water sample was taken from the creek's discharge point, and it tested positive for Campylobacter. As of Friday, June 3, 2022, the state laboratory has matched clinical and water sample specimens through whole genome sequencing. Kennedy Creek … [Read more...]
Possible 12/21 Campylobacter Outbreak in Petersburg, Nebraska
A possible Campylobacter outbreak in December 2021 in the town of Petersburg, Nebraska is associated with the municipal water supply, according to news reports. Problems with the water tower may be the cause of these illnesses. More than 40 people in the city started showing symptoms of Campylobacter poisoning. The East Central District Health Department reportedly first thought that the illnesses were linked to food. But water tower experts said that gaps in the town's water tower let birds get in. Wild birds can spread Campylobacter, according to experts. Crop contamination is the most common way this pathogen is spread from birds to humans. The town started chlorinating the water supply in December 2021. That means the water is safe to drink. The CDC's Division of … [Read more...]
Wild Bird Species Pose Campylobacter Contamination Risk to Crops
A new study conducted at the University of California Davis has found that some wild bird species can pose a Campylobacter contamination risk to crops. Scientists know that animals and birds can contaminate crops in the field. The study looked at different bird species and the bacteria they can spread. The risk is low but it does exist. The researchers found that birds such as starlings and blackbirds "that flock in large numbers and forage on the ground near cattle are more likely to spread pathogenic bacteria to crops like lettuce, spinach and broccoli." Insect eating birds are less likely to carry the kind of bacteria that make people sick. Campylobacter is the pathogen that these birds carry most often, while bacteria such as E. coli and Salmonella, which have been linked to … [Read more...]
Valley Milk Raw Cow’s Milk Recalled For Possible Campylobacter Contamination
Valley Milk raw cow's milk is being recalled for possible Campylobacter contamination, according to the California Department of Food and Agriculture. The milk is subject to a statewide recall and quarantine order announced by California State Veterinarian Dr. Annette Jones. The farm is located in Stanislaus County, California. No illnesses have been reported to date in connection with the consumption of this product. Lab confirmed detection of Campylobacter jejuni in the farm's packaged raw whole cow's milk triggered the recall. The California Department of Food and Agriculture conducted the test. Raw milk has not been pasteurized to destroy bacteria that can cause illness. The recalled product is Valley Milk raw cow's milk that is distributed in one gallon (128 ounce) and … [Read more...]
Potters Pond Campylobacter Outbreak in Rhode Island Sickens Seven
A Potters Pond Campylobacter outbreak has closed the area, which is used for shellfish harvesting, in Rhode Island after seven people got sick with the bacterial infection, according to the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management and the Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH). Potters Pond is located in South Kingston, Rhode Island. The pond is going to remain closed until further notice. An investigation linked the illnesses to shellfish harvested in the area. A shellfish sample collected by RIDOH tested positive for Campylobacter Iari. The shellfish sample doses not match the illnesses from the investigation, however, the positive shellfish sample does indicate the presence of Campylobacter in the pond. More samples are being collected and tested. Two of the … [Read more...]
Valley Milk Simply Bottled Raw Goat Milk Recalled For Campylobacter
Valley Milk Simply Bottled raw goat milk is being recalled in California because it may be contaminated with Campylobacter bacteria, according to a press release from the California Department of Food and Agriculture. The milk is also the subject of a statewide quarantine order by California State Veterinarian Dr. Annette Jones. The dairy is located in Stanislaus County. The quarantine order was filed after officials confirmed detection of the bacteria Campylobacter jejuni in the farm's packaged raw whole goat milk. No illnesses have been reported to the company or to government officials in connection with the consumption of this raw milk product. The order applies to "Valley Milk Simply Bottled Raw Goat Milk" that is distributed in half gallon (64 ounce) plastic jugs. The code … [Read more...]
Eastern Idaho Campylobacter Outbreak Associated with Raw Milk
An Eastern Idaho Campylobacter outbreak is associated with the consumption of raw milk, according to a notice posted on that agency's Facebook page. Eastern Idaho Public Health is working in conjunction with the Idaho State Department of Agriculture and the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare to educate the public about the inherent risks of consuming unpasteurized dairy products. Raw, or unpasteurized, milk and dairy products are associated with many food poisoning outbreaks and illnesses in the past several decades. Pathogens linked to these types of products include Campylobacter, E. coli, Salmonella, Brucella, and Listeria monocytogenes. The notice did not state how many people are sick, the patient age range, illness onset date, or whether or not anyone has been … [Read more...]
Dungeness Valley Creamery Raw Milk Linked to WA Campylobacter Outbreak
A Washington Campylobacter outbreak is linked to Dungeness Valley Creamery raw milk, according to a news release by the Washington State Department of Health. Five lab-positive cases have been identified. The raw milk was purchased in Clallam, Skagit, Kitsap, and Clark Counties. We don't know the patient ages, illness onset dates, or whether anyone has been hospitalized. Dungeness Valley Creamery has issued a voluntary recall of all raw milk products with a Best Buy date of April 13, 2021 or earlier. These products may be contaminated with Campylobacter, which can cause serious illness. The recalled raw milk items are bottled in gallon, half-gallon, quart, and pint containers. The raw milk was sold to customers in western Washington state in the company's on-farm store, outside … [Read more...]
Campylobacter Are Exchanging Genetic Material to Become More Virulent
New research conducted at North Carolina State University reveals that two of the most common strains of Campylobacter are exchanging genetic material. That means they are producing more infectious and antibiotic-resistant strains. And that is bad news for consumers, since those strains are common in the poultry industry. In 2014, Consumer Reports conducted research on chicken breasts that they purchased in ordinary grocery stores. They found that potentially harmful bacteria, including Campylobacter and Salmonella, was present in almost all of the chicken, including organic brands. In fact, Campylobacter was found on 43% of the samples. Lead author on the study, Maj. Dawn Hull, Army veterinarian and current Ph.D. student at NC State, said in a statement, "There are two strains … [Read more...]
