Estimate of the number of Campylobacter infections in the Hunter region, NSW, 2004-2007.
OBJECTIVE
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.


CONCLUSIONS
Campylobacter infection causes considerable disease in the Hunter, and likely in NSW. Regular review of Campylobacter laboratory results may be valuable.
OzFoodNet, Hunter New England Area Health Service. lirpa_r@yahoo.com
April R
AR
Roberts-Witteveen
David N
DN
Durrheim
Tony D
TD
Merritt
Sally A
SA
Munnoch
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001315:Australia / Q000453:epidemiology; D002169:Campylobacter Infections / Q000453:epidemiology*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D018563:Disease Notification / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009517:New South Wales / Q000453:epidemiology; D012480:Salmonella Infections / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult