Campylobacteriosis in Finland 2004-2021
A new study presents a comprehensive overview of passive surveillance on Campylobacteriosis in Finland from 2004 to 2021 and a pilot case-control study with whole-genome sequencing in summer 2022. According to the study:
-Campylobacter is the most common cause of bacterial gastroenteritis in Finland.
-The incidence of Campylobacteriosis showed a slightly increasing trend from 2004 to 2019, while case numbers dropped dramatically in 2020 and 2021, possibly due to COVID-19 restrictions and improved hygienic practices.
-Almost half of the campylobacteriosis case notifications lacked information on travel history, and more cases than previously considered, based on Finnish Infectious Disease Register (FIDR) notifications, are of domestic origin.
-Domestic cases were reported from all parts of Finland, with the highest incidences in the South Ostrobothnia and North Savo hospital districts.
-C. jejuni caused most of the infections (77%), followed by C. coli (6%), and for 17% of the cases, the species was not determined.
-Poultry, especially broiler meat, is an important source of campylobacteriosis in Finland.
The study suggests that more campylobacteriosis cases than previously considered. The identification of poultry, especially broiler meat, as an important source of campylobacteriosis underscores the importance of targeted interventions in the poultry production and processing chain to reduce contamination and transmission to humans.
