University of Hawaii Authors Examine Campylobacter On The Islands

Posted by Campylobacter Attorney on December 11, 2008

Hawaii's Star-Bulletin today takes a look at the high rate of campylobacter contamination being experienced on the islands of the nation's 50th State.   The newspaper reports that:

With about 800 cases per year, Hawaii has the highest rate of reported Campylobacter infections in the nation. Cross-contamination of foods with Campylobacter and other bacteria can happen at home, too. With the holiday season ahead, it's time to make sure that all the cook's helpers know how to avoid cross-contamination.

The taking off point for the article was the $3.2 million fine reportedly imposed on a Salt Creek Grill restaurant in Orange County, California.  The raw ahi the Salt Creek Grill  served caused permanent nerve damage to a young woman.  Raw Ahi (tuna)  is a commonly served entry in Hawaii.

The California victim was an avid runner whose condition progressed to permanent nerve damage. Test results indicated that she was infected by a type of bacteria called Campylobacter.  While not usually found in raw tuna,  the "Campy" bacteria is common in chicken.   Cross contamination was likely at the California Salt Creek Grill.

The Star-Bulletin article by Alan Titchenal, Ph.D., C.N.S., and Joannie Dobbs, Ph.D., C.N.S., , can be found here.  

The authors are nutritionists in the Department of Human Nutrition, Food and Animal Sciences, College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources, University of Hawaii-Manoa. Dobbs also works with University Health Services.

Sheep Droppings Plus Mud Equals Campylobacter Outbreak At Wales Bike Race

Posted by Campylobacter Lawyer on December 05, 2008

Last March when we wrote here about an outbreak of Campylobacter being attributed to the mud in a bike race up in British Columbia, we thought it was a one-time weird event. We were wrong. It has happened again.

We have this report from  Wales via Metro. Co.UK:

"Mud contaminated with sheep faeces was the most likely cause of 161 cyclists falling ill at a competition.

"The outbreak of vomiting and diarrhoea at the Mountain Bike Marathon, in Wales, was probably caused by Campylobacter in mud liquidised by heavy overnight rain, a report said on Tuesday.

The July incident, in Builth Wells, was investigated by the National Public Health Service for Wales."

Guess there is never a good time to be sheep dip.