EEIP RIDRM Campylobacteriosis
Campylobacteriosis is a bacterial infection primarily caused by Campylobacter jejuni (C. jejunis), and is one of the most common causes of diarrheal illness in the United States. Infections more often occur during summer months, and are most often associated with eating raw or undercooked poultry or from items contaminated by them. It is also an important cause of traveler’s diarrhea.
Actions Required and Control Measures
Reporting Requirements - Category 2
Campylobacteriosis is physician reportable by mail within 12 hours of recognition or strong suspicion to both the Connecticut Department of Public Health (DPH) and the local health department (LHD). The director of any clinical laboratory must also report laboratory evidence of Campylobacter to both the DPH and the LHD. To assure you have the most up-to-date information concerning reportable diseases, please visit the Reporting of Diseases, Emergency Illnesses, Health Conditions, and Laboratory Findings page.
Case Investigation
LHD Responsibility: For cases NOT reported by Quest Diagnostics, use the “General Enteric Diseases Interview Form” (GEDIF) specific to Salmonella and Campylobacter to interview the case and identify individuals in high-risk occupations or settings. Completed GEDIF forms should be entered directly into CTEDSS or faxed to the DPH at 860-509-7910.
Provide information and educational materials describing the nature of the disease and preventive measures. The importance of frequent and thorough hand washing should be stressed for all cases and contacts. Encourage a physician visit if symptoms persist.
DPH Responsibility: For those cases reported by Quest Diagnostics, DPH will interview. For all other cases, DPH is available to the LHD for assistance, consultation and guidance, and to ensure that appropriate investigative and control actions are being taken.
Control Measures for Individuals in High-Risk Occupations or Settings
Food Handler: Refer to DPH Food Protection Program at 860-509-7297.
Health Care Worker with Direct Patient Contact: Individuals with laboratory-confirmed infection should be excluded from direct care of patients until they are asymptomatic. Proper hand hygiene should be stressed.
Day Care Setting: Symptomatic children should be excluded from day care. Improved sanitation and personal hygiene should be emphasized in day care settings. Proper hand hygiene by staff and children should be stressed, especially after using the toilet and/or handling soiled diapers, and prior to preparing or eating food.
Household Contacts: Household contacts with diarrhea should be excluded from food handling and the care of children and/or patients until they are asymptomatic. Proper hand washing should be stressed.
This page last updated 9/17/2019.