Health experts have issued an urgent warning after it was reported cases of a nasty infection are at a “decade high” in England. Instances of campylobacter infections rose by a staggering 17.1 per cent between 2023 and 2024.
Campylobacter bacteria causes an illness called campylobacteriosis which most commonly leads to diarrhoea but can also result in stomach pain, vomiting and fever lasting up to a week. While most people recover without treatment, it can cause severe illness in children and the elderly.
As well as campylobacteriosis, cases of salmonella have also risen in England, with an identical 17.1 per cent rise between 2023 and 2024.
In an update, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said there had been a “significant rise” in campylobacter and salmonella infections.
It said: “UKHSA is reminding people to take precautionary measures against catching these bacteria, which are common causes of food poisoning. Young children, elderly adults and those with weakened immune systems should take extra care as they are at higher risk of developing severe illness.
“Campylobacter cases have increased by 17.1 per cent from 60,055 in 2023 to 70,352 in 2024, reaching 121.9 reports per 100,000 population. This represents the highest number of cases recorded in the past decade.
“Adults aged 50 to 79 years account for 44 per cent of all reports. Similarly, salmonella infections reached a decade high, with a 17.1 per cent increase from 2023, rising from 8,872 cases in 2023 to 10,388 cases in 2024.
“Children under 10 years old were particularly affected, accounting for 21.5 per cent of cases.”
These infections are typically linked to contaminated food. However, the exact cause of this rise in illness is currently under investigation.
The UKHSA said: “Campylobacter and salmonella infections are usually caught by eating contaminated food, including poultry, meat, eggs, raw fruit or vegetables, and unpasteurised milk products. Infection may also occur through close contact with people with the infection – particularly in household settings – and by cross-contamination in the kitchen, for example when utensils are used for both cooked and uncooked foods.
“UKHSA and Food Standard Agency (FSA) experts are investigating further with partner agencies to understand the reasons behind this increase in salmonella and campylobacter cases.”
It is possible for people infected with salmonella and campylobacter to spread it to other people, although this is uncommon.
The Cleveland Clinic says: “The bacteria live in your poop. From there, they can spread from your hands to other people.
“If someone touches a contaminated surface and then touches their mouth, they might get sick. But transmission between humans doesn’t happen as often as other methods (like eating undercooked poultry).”
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Symptoms of campylobacteriosis include:
- Diarrhoea
- Stomach cramping
- Vomiting
- Fever
In infants the diarrhoea may also contain blood. This illness can also result in dehydration.
Salmonella causes the same symptoms, although you may also get a headache.
To lower your risk of getting sick, the Cleveland Clinic recommends you:
- Don’t make food for others if you’re sick
- Always wash your hands with soap and water after going to the bathroom
- Wash your hands before and after preparing food or eating
- Wash food prep and eating surfaces and utensils before and after use
- Cook foods to a safe temperature before eating
- Don’t handle any other foods while working with raw meat, poultry, seafood or eggs
- Wash or peel vegetables and fruits before cutting, eating or cooking
- Refrigerate or freeze meat, poultry and seafood as soon as possible
- Don’t drink unpasteurised milk or food made with unpasteurised milk
- Don’t drink untreated water or eat food prepared with untreated water