4 Campylobacteriosis

CDC Campylobacteriosis page

267 cases

Fewer than 5 deaths

15.4 % of cases were hospitalized

21.7 cases per 100,000 population


4.1 Epidemiologic Review

4.1.1 Disease Information

Overview: Campylobacteriosis is an infectious disease caused by the Campylobacter bacteria. It is one of the most common causes of diarrheal illness in the United States.

Symptoms: Symptoms typically include diarrhea (sometimes bloody), fever, abdominal cramps, and nausea. Symptoms usually occur within 2-5 days after exposure and last about a week.

Transmission: Transmission can occur through the ingestion of contaminated food, milk (unpasteurized), or water. It can also be transmitted from person-to-person through the fecal-oral route.

Treatment: Most people recover without treatment and antibiotics are only recommended for the very ill.

Prevention Proper hand hygiene after contact with animals and before eating will help prevent the spread of disease, as well as only drinking pasteurized milk.

4.1.2 Demographics


Race Rate per 100k
American Indian or Alaska Native, Non Hispanic <5 cases
Asian, Non Hispanic 19.5
Black or African American, Non Hispanic <5 cases
Hispanic or Latino 13.7
Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander, Non Hispanic <5 cases
Other Race, Non Hispanic <5 cases
Two or More Races, Non Hispanic <5 cases
Unknown Race and Ethnicity <5 cases
White, Non Hispanic 23.7


Rates for American Indian or Alaska Native, Non Hispanic, Black or African American, Non Hispanic, Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander, Non Hispanic, Other Race, Non Hispanic, Two or More Races, Non Hispanic, and Unknown Race and Ethnicity are not displayed due to low case counts.


4.1.3 Outbreaks

  1. This investigation consisted of two Salt Lake County Campylobacter jejuni cases closely related by Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS). Both reported consuming raw oysters during their exposure period. Oyster tags were obtained from both restaurants and traceback was conducted by the UDAF Shellfish Specialist.
  2. This was a foodborne outbreak of Campylobacteriosis and 20 reported sick with GI symptoms with 13 cases within Salt Lake County. The first reported onset of illness was on 7/16/23 and last reported onset on 9/10/23. Raw milk was identified as the suspect vehicle. 19 cases had raw milk exposure purchased from a local dairy.

4.1.4 Monthly and Historical Comparisons




Data for Utah and the CDC were retrieved from the CDC’s Notifiable Infectious Disease Data Tables.

4.2 Key Things to Know

  • The median duration of illness was 9 days.
  • 259 cases (97%) reported diarrhea, 101 cases (37%) reported vomiting, and 80 cases (30%) reported bloody diarrhea.
  • 112 cases (54%) reported animal exposure to dogs.
  • 64 cases (24%) reported foreign travel. Of those, 12 (5%) reported travel to Mexico and 5 (2%) reported travel to Thailand or Spain.
  • 33 cases (12.4%) reported out of state travel.
  • 36 cases (15%) reported natural water exposures including lakes and streams.
  • 43 cases (16%) reported eating raw or undercooked meat and 23 cases (8%) reported raw milk exposure.