EXPERT – MEDICINE & HYGIENE

The today major

human pathogen?

 

Campylobacter is a major human pathogen worldwide

Campylobacter jejuni and C. coli are considered for the majority of human food-borne infections (www.hpa.org.uk ). Human food poisoning is acquired through the consumption of contaminated food. Poultry is a major food source of infection and infection can arises by consumption of under-cooked poultry meat or cross-contamination of other food products (www.food.gov.uk).

Other sources of infection include contaminated raw milk and water.

The general symptoms of the disease are a fever and general feeling of unwell-ness which is accompanied or followed by abdominal cramps, watery, diarrhoea.

The disease is generally self-limiting after 2-7 days. Antibiotic treatment may be required in elderly or immune-compromised patients.