How Campylobacteriosis is caused
It is caused by Campylobacter jejuni, a Gram-negative rod. It is a microaerophillic organism, which means it has a requirement for reduced levels of oxygen. It is often isolated from healthy cattle, chickens, birds and even flies. It is also sometimes present in non-chlorinated water sources such as streams and ponds. The bacteria cause between 5 and 14 per cent of all diarrhoeal illnesses worldwide. C. jejuni primarily affects children under 5 year's old and young adults (15-29 years old).