Staying Healthy in Child Care - National Health and Medical ...

Part 3 Gastrointestinal complaints
Campylobacter
Description
Campylobacter infection is a type of gastroenteritis caused by a bacteria known as
Campylobacter. Symptoms may include diarrhoea (sometimes bloody), a low-grade
fever, abdominal cramping and nausea and vomiting.
Campylobacter bacteria are found in the faeces of many animals, including farm
animals and household pets. People are infected when bacteria are taken in by mouth
and this can happen by:
• Eating undercooked meat, especially chicken.
• Drinking unpasteurised milk or contaminated drinking water.
• Eating cooked food which has been cross-contaminated with campylobacter
bacteria from raw food.
• Handling infected animals and not washing hands afterwards.
Infection can also be spread from person to person when:
• People with campylobacter bacteria in the faeces do not wash their hands
effectively after going to the toilet. Contaminated hands can then contaminate
food which may be eaten by others.
• Hands become infected when changing the nappy of an infected infant. People
and animals can carry and spread the infection even if they don’t have
symptoms.
Incubation period
Usually 2 - 5 days after coming in contact with the bacteria, but may range from 1–10
days.
Infectious period
For as long as the bacteria are in the person’s faeces. This may be for a few days or
weeks after symptoms are gone.
Exclusion period
Exclude until diarrhoea has stopped for at least 24 hours.
Responsibilities of child care providers/staff
Report the infection to the director.
Contact your local health authority if several children in one group are ill. Public
health workers may be able to help identify how the infectious agent has spread
through the centre and prevent further infection.
Responsibilities of parents
Observe the exclusion period.
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Draft for Public Consultation