Estimate of the number of Campylobacter infections in the Hunter region, NSW, 2004–2007

April R. Roberts-Witteveen; David N. Durrheim; Tony D. Merritt; Sally A. Munnoch

doi:10.1071/NB09009

RESEARCH ARTICLE

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Estimate of the number of Campylobacter infections in the Hunter region, NSW, 2004–2007

April R. Roberts-Witteveen ^A ^C , David N. Durrheim ^B , Tony D. Merritt ^B and Sally A. Munnoch ^A

+ Author Affiliations

- Author Affiliations

^A OzFoodNet, Hunter New England Area Health Service

^B Health Protection, Hunter New England Area Health Service

^C Corresponding author. Email: lirpa_r@yahoo.com

NSW Public Health Bulletin 20(12) 187-191 https://doi.org/10.1071/NB09009
Published: 4 February 2010

Abstract

Objectives: Campylobacteriosis is not notifiable in NSW and the number of cases of Campylobacter disease is thus not well described. Methods: De-identified campylobacteriosis records for 2004–2007 were requested from laboratories in the Hunter region of NSW. Based on notifying laboratory, a Salmonella notification weighting was applied to laboratory-confirmed campylobacteriosis cases to provide an overall estimate of Campylobacter disease in the area. Results: The estimated median of the annual number of laboratory-confirmed campylobacteriosis cases was 788 (range 700–1022). The ratio of estimated Campylobacter cases to Salmonella notifications was 5.5 : 1. Conclusion: Campylobacter infection causes considerable disease in the Hunter, and likely in NSW. Regular review of Campylobacter laboratory results may be valuable.

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