How to Prevent Campylobacter Infection

In brief

• You can protect yourself and others from Campylobacter infection.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water.
• Take care with raw meat, poultry and seafood.
• Drink treated water and pasteurized milk.
• Be careful when playing with or caring for pets.

Image from CDC's page on preventing Campylobacter infection.

1. Wash your hands

Campylobacter and other harmful germs can survive on your hands. Wash them well with soap and water:

• before, during and after preparing food;
• before eating;
• after using the toilet, changing diapers or cleaning up a child who has used the toilet;
• after blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing;
• before and after caring for someone who is sick, or treating a cut or wound;
• after touching pets and other animals, their food or their poop;
• after touching garbage.

CDC explains when and how to wash your hands.

2. Keep raw meat separate

Keep raw meat away from other foods, and use separate cutting boards:

• one for raw meat — poultry, seafood and beef;
• another for fresh fruit, vegetables and other foods.

Clean all cutting boards, countertops and utensils with soap and hot water after preparing any raw meat. See FoodSafety.gov on avoiding cross-contamination.

3. Cook poultry to 165°F

Take extra care with poultry — one of the top causes of Campylobacter infection in the United States. Poultry means chicken, turkey, duck, goose and other farmed birds.

• Cook poultry, and foods containing it such as sausages and casseroles, to a safe internal temperature of 165°F.
• If poultry seems undercooked in a restaurant, send it back.

See FoodSafety.gov on cooking to the right temperature.

4. Drink pasteurized milk

Pasteurization kills harmful germs, including Campylobacter. Look for the word "pasteurized" on milk, dairy products and juices — and if in doubt, don't buy it. CDC has more on raw milk.

5. Drink safe, treated water

Know where your drinking water comes from and whether it has been treated to remove germs.

• Do not drink untreated water from streams, rivers, ponds or lakes.
• Make sure wells are a safe distance from possible contamination such as septic tanks, livestock and manure.
• Have septic tanks and wells inspected regularly.

6. Take care with pets

Healthy pets and other animals can carry germs that make people sick. CDC's healthy pets tips help keep you, your family and your pets well.

Sources

Based on "Preventing Campylobacter Infection," Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; a work of the United States government in the public domain.