Campylobacter infection

Have you contracted campylobacter infection whilst staying in a package holiday hotel?

Campylobacter has affected many holidaymakers during past months.  The infection commonly causes illness 2-5 days after the bacteria are ingested and, if illness occurs as a result of poor standards of food/food hygiene practices, holidaymakers may be able to claim compensation when they return home.

Head of Travel Law and Holiday Illness Compensation Claims at Farnworth Rose, Anne Thomson, who has over 25 years’ experience of handling holiday illness claims, says: “Campylobacter infection can cause untold misery to holidaymakers and if their illness is caused as a result of consuming contaminated food or drink provided by the hotel, they should contact us on: 080001 54321 or fill in the online claim form for more information about claiming compensation.”

Main causes of campylobacter infection include:

• Inadequate cooking
• Drinking unpasteurized milk
• Cross contamination, when raw foods come into contact with ready to eat foods
• Person to person spread when food handlers do not wash their hands after using the toilet

What is campylobacter?

Campylobacter is a bacterial infection which causes gastroenteritis. Campylobacter can affect anyone but it is most common in children under 5 years of age and young adults. Symptoms can be more severe in elderly people and those with weakened immune systems.

What are the symptoms of campylobacter?

Typical symptoms of campylobacter include stomach cramps, nausea, vomiting, fever and diarrhoea, often with blood or mucus.

How long is campylobacter likely to last?

Most cases of campylobacter clear up on their own within one week but more serious illness can develop if the sufferer becomes dehydrated.

How can campylobacter infection be prevented?

Campylobacter can be prevented by:

• Washing hands before preparing food, after using the toilet and between handling different foods
• Never preparing different foods on the same cutting board without washing it thoroughly in between
• Keeping all kitchen surfaces clean
• Thoroughly cooking all meats
• Store foods below 5 °C
• Protect foods from birds, insects and rodents

How is campylobacter treated?

Almost everyone who suffers symptoms of campylobacter will recover without any specific treatment but it is vital they rest and drink plenty of fluids. In more severe cases, antibiotics may be prescribed which can shorten the duration of the symptoms if taken early enough into the illness. Your doctor will make the decision as to whether antibiotics are necessary or not.