A large waterborne outbreak of campylobacteriosis in Norway: The need to focus on distribution system safety

Abstract

Background: On 7 May 2007 the medical officer in Røros (population 5600) reported 15 patients with gastroenteritis. Three days later he estimated hundreds being ill. Untreated tap water from a groundwater source was suspected as the vehicle and chlorination was started 11 May. Campylobacter was isolated from patients' stool samples. We conducted an investigation to identify the source and describe the extent of the outbreak.

An investigation of a waterborne outbreak caused by microbiological contamination of the drinking water supply system

“…It is indeed biologically plausible that the vehicle for the outbreak caused by Norovirus and Rotavirus is the drinking water (16). Besides the multiple pathogens identified, we were able to demonstrate high attack rates, while the epidemic curve was suggestive of a common point source, which is compatible with findings in other waterborne outbreaks described before (17,18,19). Thus, these results, combined with the events, brought to light during the environmental investigation, strongly suggest that the vehicle of the outbreak was the contaminated drinking water from the water distribution system.…”

The Family Campylobacteraceae

“…Campylobacter has been associated with soil amebas that may provide a protected environment for the bacteria (Baré et al 2010;Axelsson-Olsson et al 2010). Campylobacter has also been detected in untreated tap water, consumption of which resulted in outbreaks of campylobacteriosis (Jakopanec et al 2008;Vogt et al 1982). Campylobacter spp.…”

A capsule conjugate vaccine approach to prevent diarrheal disease caused byCampylobacter jejuni

“…[1][2][3][4] C. jejuni is a zoonotic pathogen and humans are most often infected by consumption of contaminated poultry, water, or raw milk. [5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12] The incidence of disease varies widely, ranging from hyperendemic levels (40 000/100 000 children less than 5 years old) in developing regions of the world, especially Southeast Asia, 4 to endemic levels (20-100/100 000 population) occurring as sporadic disease in young adults and infants in developed countries. 13 C. jejuni represent a significant cause of traveler's diarrhea in persons from industrialized nations visiting hyperendemic regions.…”