What is it?
It is a bacterial enteric disease caused by a bacteria called Campylobacter.  The bacteria is found in the feces of infected people, pets (kittens and puppies), wild animals, poultry and raw milk.

How does it spread?
It is commonly spread through direct contact with:

• infected animals, especially puppies, kittens and fowl
• drinking unpasteurized (raw) milk, contaminated water, or eating undercooked poultry meats
• from person to person if the hands of an infected person are not washed properly after using the toilet

Signs and symptoms of illness.
Diarrhea, cramps, fever, malaise, nausea and vomiting.

Who is at risk?
All age groups are at risk.

How long before illness starts?
2 to 5 days but could be 1 to 10 days depending on dose ingested.

How long does illness last?
Symptoms usually stop by themselves within 1 to 4 days and no longer than 10 days.  However the infected person can still have the bacteria in their feces for up to 7 weeks, and therefore can be passed on to someone else.  The infection may be treated with antibiotics.

Prevention:

• Thorough hand washing is the best prevention.  Make sure hands are properly washed after using the toilet, changing diapers, handling pets or before preparing foods.
• Clean and sanitize counter tops and utensils immediately after the preparation of foods, particularly meats and poultry.
• Drink only pasteurized milk.  Drink water from a safe water supply.
• Avoid using raw eggs in foods that do not require cooking; e.g. egg nog, caesar salad dressing.  Use pasteurized liquid eggs instead.
• Defrost meats safely under running water, on a plate in the fridge, or in the microwave oven.
• Cook meat and poultry to a minimum internal temperature of 74°C (165°F).
• Keep hot foods hot (60°C, 140°F) before serving and cold foods cold (4°C, 40°F, or colder).
• Avoid preparing or handling any food if ill with diarrhea.