Environmental Testing for Campylobacter to Prevent Illnesses and Outbreaks

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that campylobacteriosis, an infectious disease caused by bacteria of the genus Campylobacter, affects over 1.3 million people every year in the United States. The agency reports that Campylobacter is one of the most common causes of diarrheal illness and that most human illness is caused by one species, Campylobacter jejuni.

In addition to diarrhea, most people who become ill with campylobacteriosis have cramping, abdominal pain and fever within two to five days after exposure to the organism. The diarrhea can be accompanied by nausea and vomiting. The illness typically lasts about one week; however, some infected people do not have any symptoms. For those with compromised immune systems, the bacteria occasionally spread to the bloodstream which can cause a serious and potentially life-threatening infection.

“Campylobacteriosis usually occurs in single, sporadic cases according to the CDC, but it can also occur in outbreaks, as was the case earlier this year when a number of people in different states came down with multidrug-resistant Campylobacter infections linked to contact with pet store puppies,” said Jason Dobranic, Ph.D., Vice President of Microbiology and Life Sciences at EMSL Analytical, Inc. “Aside from the pet store instance, the majority of cases are associated with eating raw or undercooked poultry meat or from cross-contamination of other foods by these items.”

To help prevent the spread of pathogens, EMSL Analytical, Inc. offers food, surface and environmental testing services for Campylobacter and a wide range of other microbial organisms. These services are available to the public, health officials and industry. EMSL also recently sponsored an educational video about Campylobacter and campylobacteriosis that can be seen at: https://youtu.be/kQEuT2DUjTE.

To learn more about microbial pathogens or other food, surface and environmental testing services, please visit www.FoodTestingLab.com or www.EMSL.com, call (800) 220-3675 or email  info@EMSL.com .

About EMSL Analytical, Inc.

EMSL Analytical, Inc. is one of the leading testing laboratories with 40 locations throughout the United States and Canada. EMSL is a nationally recognized and locally focused provider specializing in fast laboratory results for mold, bacteria, Legionella, USP 797, pathogens, asbestos, lead, soot, char & ash from fires, VOC’s, odors, radon, formaldehyde, indoor air quality, microbiology, environmental, industrial hygiene, radiological, food, beverage & consumer products and material testing services for the identification of unknown substances. EMSL services both professionals and the general public. EMSL maintains an extensive list of accreditations from leading organizations as well as state and federal regulating bodies including, but not limited to A2LA, AIHA LAP, LLC. (AIHA EMLAP, AIHA IHLAP, AIHA ELLAP), NVLAP, CDC ELITE, CPSC, CA ELAP, NY ELAP, TX DOH, NJDEP and multiple other state accrediting agencies. Please visit our website at www.EMSL.com for a complete listing of accreditations.  In addition, EMSL carries a wide range of Sampling Equipment and Investigative Products for environmental professionals.

Contact Information

Joseph Frasca

Senior Vice President of Marketing

EMSL Analytical, Inc.

(1) 856-303-2503

Contact via E-mail