Campylobacteriosis

General

Currently, there is no vaccine to prevent campylobacteriosis. The best defense against campylobacteriosis is thorough, frequent handwashing and proper cooking, handling and storage of food. General control measures include:

• Do not prepare food or pour beverages for others while ill with diarrhea.
• Wash hands and surfaces often.
• Do not cross-contaminate.
• Cook food to safe temperatures.
• Refrigerate food promptly and properly.

Additional information can be found in the Missouri Food Code.

Treatment

Almost all persons infected with illness caused by Campylobacter recover without any specific treatment. Antimicrobial therapy is warranted only for patients with severe disease or those at high risk for severe disease, such as those with immune systems severely weakened from medications or other illnesses. Rehydration is the mainstay for all children with diarrhea. Azithromycin and erythromycin shorten the duration of illness and excretion of organisms and prevent relapse when given early in gastrointestinal tract infections.

Travelers

Travelers should be advised to follow CDC’s food and water precautions and drink from a safe water supply.

Drinking and Recreational Water

• If coliform bacteria are detected in a private water supply (e.g., cistern, well), advise the family to boil the water (bring water to a full rolling boil for one minute) used for drinking, food preparation, dishwashing, and tooth brushing until the problem in the water supply can be corrected.
• If cases are associated with a public water supply, notify the District Epidemiologists and the Bureau of Environmental Health Services (BEHS), who will notify the Department of Natural Resources (DNR). If possible, DNR should be contacted before the collection of any public water samples.
• Avoid swallowing water from ponds, lakes, or untreated pools. For cases associated with recreational water activities or with private drinking water contact the District Epidemiologists and BEHS.
• Infected persons should refrain from recreational water venues (e.g., swimming pools, water parks) for 2 weeks after symptoms resolve.