The spatial and temporal determinants of campylobacteriosis notifications in New Zealand, 2001–2007

Abstract

Despite recent improvements, New Zealand still has one of the highest per-capita incidence rates of campylobacteriosis in the world. To reduce the incidence, a thorough understanding of the epidemiology of infection is needed. This retrospective analysis of 36 000 notified human cases during a high-risk period between 2001 and 2007 explored the spatial and temporal determinants of Campylobacter notifications at a fine spatial scale in order to improve understanding of the complex epidemiology. Social deprivation was associated with a decreased risk of notification, whereas urban residence was associated with an increased risk. However, for young children rural residence was a risk factor. High dairy cattle density was associated with an increased risk of notification in two of the three regions investigated. Campylobacter notification patterns exhibit large temporal variations; however, few factors were associated with periods of increased risk, in particular temperature did not appear to drive the seasonality in campylobacteriosis.

Campylobacter sequence typing databases: applications and future prospects

“…In addition to enabling source attribution and confirming the similarity of genotypes recovered from campylobacteriosis in diverse regions of the UK, the CaMPS study demonstrated that there were differences in the Campylobacter types causing infection in urban areas, where the risk factor is most likely to be retail food, and rural areas, where young children were more likely to be infected with genotypes similar to those observed in bovines . Such effects have also been seen in using spatial modelling in New Zealand, where rural residence and a high density of dairy cattle have both been shown to be risk factors for Campylobacter infection (Spencer et al, 2012).…”

Impact of Rurality, Broiler Operations, and Community Socioeconomic Factors on the Risk of Campylobacteriosis in Maryland

“…Several sociodemographic risk factors for campylobacteriosis have also been identified, the two most consistent being gender (males) and age (less than 5 yr) Spencer, 2012;. Previous studies have also evaluated socioeconomic factors associated with the incidence of Campylobacter infection and the findings suggest that these infections may occur more frequently among individuals characterized by higher socioeconomic status .…”

“…Significant associations between living in rural areas and risk of campylobacteriosis also have been identified in Europe and Canada [16][17][18] . Moreover, a specific feature of rural environments, animal density, has been identified as a significant predictor of…”

Comparison of Microbiological Food Safety Issues in New Zealand and Australia

“…38 The reports also suggested that in summer there was a higher risk of campylobacteriosis than other seasons, however, the reasons for these observed seasonal trends were poorly understood. 39 Additionally, the implicated food vehicles associated with campylobacteriosis may vary from country to country.…”

“…38,39 In order to prevent and decrease Campylobacter contamination, the policy changed from zero to low levels of contamination because researchers found that the current interventions (such as biosecurity measurements) were not able to eliminate Campylobacter in the poultry production chain completely. 45 On the other hand, broiler chicken carcasses at the end of primary process was recognized as an important pathway for Campylobacter to infect human population in New Zealand; the Ministry for Primary Industries …”