CAMPYLOBACTER  (cont.)  
Division of Public Health Services  Disease Handbook for Childcare Providers 
Bureau of Infectious Disease Control   REVISED –January 2018 
CAMPYLOBACTER 
 
Campylobacteriosis is an intestinal illness caused by 
the bacterium Campylobacter of which there are 
many types. 
 
Who gets this disease? 
Anyone can.  The illness occurs in all age groups. 
 
How is it spread? 
Campylobacter is spread by the f ecal-oral route.  
Water, milk or food (especially poorly cooked 
poultry products) contaminated with 
Campylobacter, or contact with infected animals 
may also be a source of infection to people.  
 
What are the symptoms? 
Diarrhea (which may be severe and bloo dy), 
stomach cramps,  abdominal pain, vomiting and 
fever are the usual symptoms. 
 
How soon do symptoms appear? 
The symptoms generally appear between one and 
seven days, but can take longer. 
 
Can a person have this disease without 
knowing it? 
Yes.  Although symptoms usually go away after one 
to 10 days on their own, there may still be germs in 
the stools for several weeks if treatment is not 
given. 
 
What is the treatment? 
Although antibiotic therapy may not shorten the 
illness, it does shorten the amount of t ime the germ 
is passed in the stools.  Therefore, in the childcare 
setting, treatment is recommended for adults and 
children with Campylobacter in their stools.  This 
will reduce the chance of spread to others. 
How can the spread of this disease be 
prevented? 
1. Wash hands thoroughly after using the toilet 
and diapering children. 
2. Wash hands thoroughly before preparing 
food. 
3. Keep children who have diarrhea at home. 
4. Wash children’s toys frequently, especially 
if they have diarrhea.  
5. Make sure children wash thei r hands after 
handling pets  or have contact with animal 
feces. 
6. Symptomatic staff with positive stool 
cultures for Campylobacter should be 
excluded from work. 
7. Always treat raw poultry, beef and pork as if 
they are contaminated and handle 
accordingly. 
8. Wrap f resh meats in plastic bags at the 
market to prevent blood from dripping onto 
other foods. 
9. Refrigerate foods promptly; minimize 
holding at room temperature. 
10. Avoid ingesting unpasteurized milk.  
11. Use separate cutting boards for raw poultry 
and beef to prevent cross contamination with 
other foods. 
12. Cutting boards and counters used for 
preparation should be washed immediately 
after use to prevent cross contamination with 
other foods. 
13. Be certain all foods (especially beef and 
poultry products) are thoroughly cooked. 


CAMPYLOBACTER  (cont.)  
Division of Public Health Services  Disease Handbook for Childcare Providers 
Bureau of Infectious Disease Control   REVISED –January 2018 
 
Who should be excluded? 
Any person with diarrhea shall be excluded from 
foodhandling, from childcare agencies and from 
direct care of hospitalized or institutionalized 
patients until 48 hours after resolution of symptoms.  
Children can return to childcare once they are no 
longer having diarrhea. 
 
Reportable? 
Yes.  Campylobacteriosis is reportable by New 
Hampshire law to the Division of Public Health 
Services, Bureau of Infectious Disease Control  at 
(603) 271-4496.