A milk-borne outbreak of Campylobacter infection

Campylobacter jejuni was isolated from the stools of 148 patients with symptoms and 57 symptomless subjects, and from a milk sock filter, following an outbreak of enteritis associated with consumption of unpasteurized milk. The incubation period ranged from 2-11 days with a peak at 5 days. There were no secondary cases. The attack rate was around 50%. Cases occurred in all age groups but were maximal in the 1-10 age group. Recovery from symptoms was complete in the majority in less than 1 week. No long term excretors were identified. There were no differences between culture positive individuals, with or without symptoms, in age or sex distribution or duration of excretion.