2011 Georgia data summary: Campylobacteriosis [Oct. 2013]

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2011 Georgia Data Summary
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Georgia Department of Public Health

OVERVIEW
Campylobacteriosis is an enteric disease caused by bacteria of the genus Campylobacter. The most common species is jejuni, followed by coli. Typical symptoms include diarrhea , abdominal cramps , malaise , fever, nausea , and vomiting, but asymptomatic infections occur. Stool may contain blood and white cells. The illness generally lasts 2-5 days . Prolonged illness may occur in adults, and relapse is possible. In immunocompromised persons, Campylobacter may spread to the bloodstream and cause a serious life-threatening infection . Reactive arthritis, febrile seizures, and Guillain-Barre Syndrome are uncommon complications of Campylobacter infections. The mode of transmission of Campylobacter is normally by ingestion of the organism in under-cooked chicken or other contaminated food and water, or raw milk. Contact with infected pets (especially puppies and kittens) , farm animals or infected infants may also be a source of transmission .

Figure 1.

Campylobacteriosis, 2001-2011

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SURVEILLANCE
All Georgia physicians, laboratories and other health care providers are required by law to report both labconfirmed and clinical diagnoses of cases of Campylobacter.
Reporting of all cases is required within seven days . During 2011 , more laboratories began testing by
culture-independent methods such as enzyme immunoassays (EIA); these are considered suspect cases, are reportable, but are not included in this summary. Cultures may be sent to the Georgia Public Health Laboratory for case confirmation Outbreaks are investigated to determine the possible source of infection and prevent additional illness. Active Surveillance for Campylobacter is conducted through FoodNet. For more information , please visit:
~ http ://dph .georgia.gov/eip/ ~ http ://www .cdc .gov/foodnet/
INCIDENCE
In 2011 , 822 cases of Campylobacter were reported , for a rate of 8.37/100 ,000 (Figure 1). Overall , rates of Campylobacter vary across the state , with counties in the northern and southern parts of the state reporting higher rates of Campylobacter than central counties (Figure 2).

Rate per 100,000 of Campylobacteriosis , Georgia, 2011

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Georgia Department of Public Health- 2 Peachtree Street, NW- Atlanta, GA 30303 - (404) 657-2588- http://dph .georgia.gov

DEMOGRAPHICS
In 2011 , 70% of reported cases were White , 13% of cases were Black, 2% were Asian, and 7% of cases were other race/ethnicities (Figure 3) . The highest number of reported cases was in the 60+ age group. Unlike the other age groups , cases were more frequently female in the 60+ age group (Figure 4) .
Figure 3.
Campylobacter Cases by Race 2011
UN KNOWN OTH ER 8%
BLACK OR AFRICAN AMERICAN
13% AS IAN 2%

Figure 4.

All Reported Cases of Campylobacter with Known Gender and Age
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PREVENTION AND SPECIAL PROJECTS
Prevention Tips
Some simple food handling practices can help prevent Campylobacter infections.
Cook all poultry products thoroughly. Make sure that the meat is cooked throughout (no longer pink) and any juices run clear. All poultry should be cooked to reach a minimum internal temperature of 165 F. Wash hands with soap before preparing food. Wash hands with soap after handling raw foods of animal origin and before touching anything else. Prevent cross-contamination in the kitchen by using separate cutting boards for foods of animal origin and other foods and by carefully cleaning all cutting boards, countertops , and utensils with soap and hot water after preparing raw food of animal origin . Avoid consuming unpasteurized milk and untreated surface water. Make sure that persons with diarrhea , especially children , wash their hands carefully and frequently with soap to reduce the risk of spreading the infection . Wash hands with soap after contact with pet feces .
Special Projects
Monitoring trends in Campy/obacter epidemiology over time .

IMPACT OF CAMPYLOBACTER
Hospitalizations and Deaths
Of the total 822 cases of Campylobacter in 2011 , 232 (28%) individuals were hospitalized , while an additional 154 (19%) individuals were seen in the Emergency Room .
There were no reported Campylobacter outbreaks or deaths during 2011 .

Date updated: October 2013 Visit http://dph.georgia.gov/epidem iology for more information about Campy/obacter Infections in Georgia.

Georgia Department of Public Health- 2 Peachtree Street, NW - Atlanta, GA 30303 - (404) 657-2588 - http://dph.georgia.gov