Prevention and Control of Communicable Diseases
Campylobacteriosis
Reportable to local or state health department
Consult the health department before posting/distributing Parent/Guardian fact sheet.
Cause
Campylobacter bacteria.
Symptoms
Diarrhea (frequently bloody), abdominal pain, nausea, occasionally fever and vomiting. The diarrhea may contain mucus. Illness usually lasts 2 to 5 days. Persons with Campylobacter infections may have mild symptoms or may not have any symptoms at all.
Spread
Campylobacter bacteria leave the body through the feces of an infected person or animal and enter another person when hands, food, or objects (such as toys) contaminated with feces or raw meat or poultry are placed in the mouth. Spread can occur when people do not wash their hands after using the toilet or changing diapers. Spread can also occur through handling infected pets, usually puppies, kittens, or farm animals.
People most often get Campylobacter by eating contaminated food, drinking contaminated water or unpasteurized milk, or having contact with animals.
Incubation
It takes from 1 to 10 days, usually 2 to 5 days, from the time a person is exposed until symptoms begin.
Contagious Period
As long as Campylobacter are present in the feces, a person can pass these bacteria on to other people. Excretion typically lasts 2-3 weeks without antimicrobial treatment but can last as long as 7 weeks.
Exclusion
Child Care and School: Until the child has been free of diarrhea for at least 24 hours. Children who have Campylobacter in their feces but who do not have symptoms do not need to be excluded.
No one with Campylobacter should use recreational water venues (swimming beaches, pools, water parks, spas, or hot tubs) until 2 weeks after diarrhea has stopped.
Exclude symptomatic staff with Campylobacter from working in food service until asymptomatic for 24 hours.
Diagnosis
Recommend parents/guardians call their healthcare provider if their child has symptoms. There is a lab test to detect Campylobacter.
Treatment
Almost all persons infected with Campylobacter recover without any specific treatment. Patients should drink extra fluids as long as the diarrhea lasts. In more severe cases, antibiotics can be used, and may shorten the duration of symptoms if given early in the illness. A physician should decide whether antibiotics are necessary.
Prevention/Control
- Regular and thorough handwashing is the best way to prevent the spread of communicable diseases. Wash hands thoroughly with soap and warm running water after using the toilet and changing diapers and before preparing or eating food. Staff should closely monitor or assist all children, as appropriate, with handwashing after children have used the bathroom or been diapered.
- Wash hands thoroughly with soap and warm running water immediately after handling pets or other animals.
- Clean and disinfect diapering area and potty chairs after each use and bathroom toilets, sinks, and toys at least daily and when soiled.
- Clean and sanitize mouthed objects and surfaces whenever soiled and at least daily.
- Food Safety
- Thoroughly cook all foods that come from animals, especially poultry.
- Store all uncooked meat and poultry on a shelf lower than any other foods in the refrigerator.
- DO NOT drink unpasteurized milk or juices.
- Wash and disinfect all cutting boards, knives, utensils, or dishes that have been used for raw meat or poultry before using with already cooked foods and with uncooked foods, such as fruits or vegetables.
- Always wash hands, cutting boards, utensils, and dishes between uncooked and cooked foods.
Restrict students from sharing any communal food items that are brought from home. In the classroom, children should not serve themselves food items that are not individually wrapped.
The teacher should hand out these items after washing his/her hands. (This is not intended to discourage family-style serving in the absence of an outbreak.)
For more information, call the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (MDHSS) Bureau of Communicable Disease Control and Prevention at 573-751-6113 or 800-392-0272 (24/7), or call your local health department.
Campylobacteriosis Parent Fact Sheet
Your child may have been exposed to:
Campylobacteriosis
Campylobacteriosis is a bacterial infection of the intestines.
If you think your child has Campylobacteriosis:
- Tell your child care provider or call the school.
- Need to stay home?
- Child Care and School:
Yes, until the child has been diarrhea free for at least 24 hours
- Child Care and School:
In addition, anyone with Campylobacteriosis should not use swimming beaches, pools, water parks, spas, or hot tubs until 2 weeks after diarrhea has stopped.
Symptoms
Your child may have diarrhea, vomiting, or a fever. Your child’s stomach may hurt. These symptoms may last up to 5 days.
If your child is infected, it may take 2 to 5 days for symptoms to start.
Spread
- By eating or drinking contaminated beverages or food, including undercooked chicken.
- By touching contaminated hands, surfaces, or objects.
- By handling pets and farm animals.
Contagious Period
The illness can spread as long as Campylobacter bacteria are in the feces.
Call your Healthcare Provider
- If anyone in your home has symptoms. Your doctor can test for Campylobacter and may decide you need to be treated with an antibiotic.
- Ask how to prevent dehydration. Your child may become dehydrated due to vomiting or diarrhea.
Prevention
- Wash hands after using the toilet and changing diapers and before preparing food or eating. Your child may need help with handwashing.
- Clean and disinfect any objects that come in contact with feces. This includes toilets (potty chairs), sinks, toys, and diaper changing areas. Use a product that kills bacteria.
- Puppies, kittens, or farm animals can cause Campylobacter infection. Wash your hands after touching pets and farm animals.
- Cook foods thoroughly and do not drink unpasteurized milk or juice. Always disinfect food preparation surfaces, especially after handling or cutting raw chicken.
For more information, call the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (MDHSS) Bureau of Communicable Disease Control and Prevention at 573-751-6113 or 800-392-0272 (24/7), or call your local health department.