National Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health, Australian National University, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia.
Foodborne Pathog Dis. 2009 Dec;6(10):1241-50. doi: 10.1089/fpd.2009.0300.
The objective of this study was to examine the frequency of Campylobacter outbreaks in Australia and determine common transmission routes and vehicles. Summary and unit data on Campylobacter outbreaks that occurred between January 2001 and December 2006 were systematically collected and analyzed. Data from Campylobacter mandatory notifications for the same period were used for comparison. During the study period there were 33 Campylobacter outbreaks reported, affecting 457 persons. Of these, 147 (32%) had laboratory-confirmed infections, constituting 0.1% of notified Campylobacter cases. Campylobacter outbreaks most commonly occurred during the Australian Spring (September to November; n = 14, 45%), when notifications generally peaked. Transmission was predominantly foodborne or suspected foodborne (n = 27, 82%), commercial settings (n = 15, 55%) being most commonly involved. There were eight foodborne outbreaks (30%) attributed to food prepared or eaten at institutions; four (15%) at aged care facilities and three (11%) at school camps. A vehicle or suspected vehicle was determined for 16 (59%) foodborne outbreaks; poultry (chicken or duck) was associated with 11 (41%) of these, unpasteurized milk and salad were associated with two outbreaks each. Three potential waterborne outbreaks were detected, and one was due to person-to-person transmission. Campylobacter outbreaks were more commonly detected during this study period compared to a previous 6-year period (n = 9) when prospective recording of information was not undertaken. However, outbreak cases continue to constitute a very small proportion of notifications. Improved recognition through subtyping is required to enhance outbreak detection and investigation so as to aid policy formulation for prevention of infection. In addition to detection of chicken as a common source of outbreaks, these data highlight the importance of directing policy at commercial premises, aged care facilities, and school camps to reduce Campylobacter disease burden.
本研究旨在调查澳大利亚弯曲菌暴发的频率，并确定常见的传播途径和载体。系统收集和分析了 2001 年 1 月至 2006 年 12 月期间发生的弯曲菌暴发的汇总和单位数据。同期弯曲菌强制报告的数据用于比较。研究期间报告了 33 起弯曲菌暴发，影响了 457 人。其中，147 人（32%）经实验室确诊感染，占报告弯曲菌病例的 0.1%。弯曲菌暴发最常发生在澳大利亚春季（9 月至 11 月），此时通报病例通常达到高峰。传播主要是食源性或疑似食源性的（n = 27，82%），商业场所（n = 15，55%）最常涉及。有 8 起食源性暴发（30%）归因于机构制备或食用的食物；4 起（15%）发生在养老院，3 起（11%）发生在学校营地。确定了 16 起食源性暴发（59%）的载体或疑似载体；其中 11 起（41%）与家禽（鸡或鸭）有关，2 起与未经巴氏消毒的牛奶和沙拉有关。发现了 3 起潜在的水源暴发，其中一起是人与人之间传播引起的。与之前未进行前瞻性信息记录的 6 年期间（n = 9）相比，本研究期间弯曲菌暴发的检测更为常见。然而，暴发病例继续占通报病例的很小比例。需要通过亚型分析提高识别能力，以加强暴发检测和调查，从而为制定预防感染的政策提供帮助。除了发现鸡是暴发的常见来源外，这些数据还强调了针对商业场所、养老院和学校营地的政策的重要性，以降低弯曲菌病负担。
