Campylobacteriosis is one of the most common causes of diarrheal illness in the United States. As few as 500 Campylobacter bacteria can cause illness in humans. The vast majority of campylobacteriosis occur in isolated, sporadic events which are not typically recognized as outbreaks. The CDC estimates that about 13 campylobacteriosis cases are diagnosed each year for each 100,000 people in the U.S. population. Many more cases never get diagnosed doctors or reported to the proper health authorities.
Campylobacter can spread into the bloodstream and cause serious and sometimes life-threatening complications such as sepsis and Guillian-Barre Syndrome, a dangerous and debilitating nerve disease that has been significantly related to campylobacteriosis. About 120 people die from complications from campylobacteriosis each year.
