Food poisoning cases Campylobacter, Salmonella, bacteria

E. coli O157:H7, Campylobacter and Salmonella are the most common bacteria causing foodborne infections along with a group of viruses called calicivirus, also known as the Norwalk and Norwalk-like viruses. 

Campylobacter is a bacteria that causes fever, diarrhea, and abdominal cramps.  It is the most commonly identified bacterial cause of diarrheal illness in the world.  These bacteria live in the intestines of healthy birds and most raw poultry meat has Campylobacter on it.  Eating undercooked chicken or other food contaminated with juices from raw chicken is the most frequent source of this infection.

Salmonella is also a bacteria that is widespread in the intestines of birds, reptiles and mammals.  It can spread to humans via different foods of animal origin.  The illness it causes, salmonellosis, typically includes fever, diarrhea and abdominal cramps.  In persons with poor underlying health or weakened immune systems, it can invade the bloodstream and cause life-threatening infections.

Calicivirus, or Norwalk-like virus is an extremely common cause of foodborne illness, though it is rarely diagnosed, because the laboratory test is not widely available.  It causes acute gastrointestinal illness, usually with more vomiting than diarrhea, that resolves within two days.  Unlike many foodborne pathogens, it is believed that Norwalk-like viruses spread primarily from one infected person to another.  Infected kitchen workers can contaminate a salad or sandwich as they prepare it, if they have the virus on their hands.  Infected fishermen have contaminated oysters as they harvested them. 

Some common diseases are occasionally foodborne, even though they are usually transmitted by other routes.  These include infections caused by Shigella, hepatitis A, and the parasites Giardia lamblia and Cryptosporidia.  Unfortunately, many of the above-described illnesses can cause very serious injuries and have long-term consequences. 

Tragically, in the elderly and children, some of these infections may cause death.  If you have any possible reason to believe that the death of a child or elderly loved one was caused by E. coli O157:H7, Campylobacter, Salmonella, Calicivirus, Norwalk, Shigella, hepatitis A, Giardia lamblia or Cryptosporidia, it is urgent that you request an autopsy.

Frank Pasternak speaks at Milwaukee Area Technical College discussing Wisconsin Injury & Hospitality Law  and Wisconsin Food Regulation Laws

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