[Campylobacteriosis in Poland in 2010]

The aim of this work is to evaluate the epidemiological situation of Campylobacter in Poland in 2010.

The evaluation was based on results from analysis of: the yearly bulletin "Infectious Diseases and food poisoning in Poland" between the years 2009-2010 (MP Czarkowski i in., PZH i GIS), reports from individual cases and epidemiological investigations of outbreaks linked to Campylobacter, sent by Epidemiological Departments in Sanitary Stations to the Department of Epidemiology at NIZP-PZH. Data was also collected from the Department of Demographical Research based at the Central Statistics Office. All reported cases were verified in accordance with the case definition required for surveillance.

In 2010, 375 cases of Campylobacter were reported in Poland, yielding an incidence of 0.98 per 100,000 inhabitants. Of cases reported 367 were confirmed and 8 probable. No deaths were reported. Over, 46% (171) of all cases reported were from the Slaskie voivodship. The highest incidence of 4.76 per 100,000 was observed in Warmińsko-Mazurskie voivodship. Fifty-four per cent of people were hospitalized, the least in Warmińsko-Mazurskie voivodship (17.6%) and in 5 voivodships over 90% of their cases were hospitalized. Campylobacter was isolated in 305 people who were ill (approximately 81%). In 2010, 275 (73.3%) people were identified as being infected with C. jejuni and 27 (7.2%) with C. coli. Illness due to infection with C. coli was mainly reported in Małopolskie Voivodship, over 55% of all cases were infected with this species. The highest number of cases (292; 77.6%) was observed among children aged between 0-4 years. In terms of gender, a total of 209 men and 166 women were reported as ill. In 2010 4 family outbreaks caused by Campylobacter were reported. One outbreak was also reported among children attending a summer camp, where 78 people were exposed, 53 children of which were up to 14 years of age. A total of 12 children between 8-14 years became ill.

Despite the increase in cases of Campylobacter reported, the disease remains underdiagnosed and under-reported. The species of Campylobacter responsible for diseases has been identified in a significant number of cases and has steadily increased in recent years.