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Campylobacter Enteritis

Campylobacter enteritis is a disease caused by bacteria belonging to the family Campylobacter. Symptoms of Campylobacter enteritis include diarrhea (sometimes bloody), nausea and vomiting, abdominal pain and fever. It is spread by consuming contaminated food or water, or though contact with an infected animal or person. For more information, see the Health Unit's fact sheets page on Campylobacter.

The following graph shows the number of Campylobacter enteritis cases in Simcoe Muskoka between 2000 and 2010. There are many factors that influence how many cases are reported to the Health Unit, as explained on the Infectious Diseases page.  In recent years, there have been between 80 and 100 cases of Campylobacter enteritis every year, except for an increase in 2007.  An investigation into these cases in 2007 revealed an increase in the number of travel-acquired campylobacter enteritis cases compared to previous years.

Provincial definitions classify cases as confirmed, probable or suspect based on clinical and/or laboratory diagnostic criteria.  The provincial case definition for campylobacter enteritis changed in April 2009 to include a definition for probable cases whereas before there was no such classification.  The definitions of confirmed and probable cases from 2009 onwards are comparable to confirmed cases before 2009.

The following graph shows the incidence rate of Campylobacter enteritis in Simcoe Muskoka and Ontario between 2000 and 2010. 

The incidence rate in Simcoe Muskoka is lower than the Ontario rate. Both of these rates experienced an overall decrease in this time period.