Comparative prevalence and diversity of strains in water and human beings over a 1-year period in southwestern Alberta, Canada.

was isolated from diarrheic people, river water (Oldman River watershed), wastewater, and drinking water over a 1-year period in southwestern Alberta (2008-2009). High rates of campylobacteriosis were observed during the study period (≥115 cases/100 K). Infections occurred throughout the year, with peaks in late summer and early autumn. Most infections occurred in people living in Lethbridge. was not isolated from municipal drinking water. In contrast, the bacterium was isolated from untreated and treated wastewater and river water (all sites). There were no correlations between recovery/detection from water and river flow rates, water turbidity, or fecal coliforms. recovery from water did not correspond to the peak periods of campylobacteriosis. The bacterium was most commonly isolated downstream of wastewater outfalls; waterfowl congregated at these sites, particularly during the winter months. A comparison of isolates from people and water revealed that most subtypes in water did not correspond to subtypes recovered from diarrheic people and were linked to waterfowl and other non-human animal sources. We conclude that waterborne did not contribute significantly to the high rates of campylobacteriosis observed in diarrheic people during the study period.