Campylobacter Enteritis
Clinical Manifestations
An acute bacterial disease characterized by diarrhea that is frequently blood-tinged. Symptoms include abdominal pain, malaise, vomiting, low-grade fever, and cramps. Transmission is person-to-person, or animal-to-person, or by the fecal-oral route from contaminated food milk, or water.
Incubation Period
From 1-10 days; commonly 1-7 days.
Period of Communicability
Throughout the acute infection, and as long as the organisms persist in the stool. Carrier states, if present, are usually short.
Applicable Laws For Indiana Schools
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Symptomatic persons shall be excluded from employment involving food handling or the direct care of children. (410 IAC 1-2.3-57(2)(A))
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Asymptomatic food handlers or day care workers, may be released to work, providing that a.) the local health officer discusses symptoms with the asymptomatic worker and determines they are indeed asymptomatic, and the health officer counsels the worker about measures, such as hand washing, to prevent transmission; and b.) the local health officer contacts the employer to reemphasize the need to comply with local and state rules requiring proper hand washing facilities, and to correct lapses in hygiene by employees. (410 IAC 1-2.3-57(2)(B)(i)(ii))
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Symptomatic persons shall be excluded from schools and day care centers. Asymptomatic persons may be released back to school after the local health officer has discussed with the school or day care staff the need for proper hand washing and other infection control practices, and the need to comply with all local and state laws pertaining to prevention of infectious diseases. (410 IAC 1-2.3-57(2)(C))
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If an outbreak occurs among staff of attendees in a day care center, all attendees may be required to submit stool specimens. All asymptomatic attendees and staff who are infected may need to be isolated from other attendees and staff in the same day care center, and admission of all new attendees suspended while the outbreak continues. (410 IAC 1-2.3-57(2)(D))
School Nursing Implications
- Hand washing is critical to control spread of disease.
- Consider sending letter to caregivers of classmates.
- Watch for additional cases.
Related Sites/Additional Information
http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dbmd/diseaseinfo/campylobacter_g.htm
http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~mow/intro.html
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