Gastroenteritis Outbreak Caused by Campylobacter jejuni - Beijing, China, August, 2019

What is already known about this topic?

Campylobacter genus bacteria are recognized as some of the leading causes of the bacterial diarrheal illness in both developing and developed countries. Recent pilot surveillance study revealed Campylobacter is the most common pathogen in the diarrheal cases using the enhanced filtration methods in Beijing. One outbreak caused by multi-drug resistant Campylobacter coli ( C. coli ) was identified in 2018.

What is added by this report?

This is the first identified gastroenteritis outbreak caused by local Campylobacter jejuni (C . jejuni) infection in Beijing. A total of 14 patients were identified from August 23 to 26, 2019. The epidemiological investigation indicated that all of the patients worked at the same factory and the diarrhea happened after the same meal supplied from one company which service the meal delivery. Fourteen C. jejuni isolates were obtained from 12 patients and 2 food workers. Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) analysis indicated this outbreak was caused by one highly clonal C. jejuni.

What are the implications for public health practice?

Campylobacter is the major foodborne pathogen in the world. Surveillance and risk assessment for Campylobacter infection particularly for Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) associated C. jejuni infection in China should closely monitored.