Campylobacter spp. are a globally important cause of bacterial gastroenteritis, with Australia experiencing higher rates of illness than many comparable high-income countries. Despite the high disease incidence, outbreaks of campylobacteriosis in Australia are infrequently detected and reported. We examined the epidemiology of Campylobacter outbreaks in Australia, with particular emphasis on assessing transmission routes and evidence as reported during public health investigations. A national register of enteric and foodborne disease outbreaks was used to summarize data on all Campylobacter outbreaks reported in Australia between 2001 and 2016. Outbreak data were reviewed and analyzed for trends over time. Additional information was sought from state and territory epidemiologists, to validate transmission routes. A total of 84 Campylobacter outbreaks were reported, with 51 (61%) being classified as foodborne. Specific food vehicles were identified for 33 (65%) outbreaks, with 28 (85%) implicating chicken or chicken-containing dishes. Although no increase in the proportion of foodborne Campylobacter outbreaks was observed, examination of specific food vehicles demonstrated a significant increase in outbreaks because of poultry-liver containing foods (p = 0.04). One quarter of all 1042 outbreak-associated cases occurred in aged-care facilities (ACFs), including 17 associated hospitalizations and three deaths. After review of evidence data, 23 outbreaks (27%) were determined to have an unknown route of transmission, including 10 (43%) outbreaks occurring in ACFs. Campylobacter spp. remain a less commonly reported cause of gastroenteritis outbreaks in Australia. Although many reported outbreaks can be linked to foodborne transmission, over a quarter were unable to identify either a food vehicle or transmission source, particularly for outbreaks occurring in aged care. Increased efforts to improve evidence collection and understanding of transmission dynamics for outbreaks of campylobacteriosis, particularly in aged care, are required.

中文翻译：

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2001 年至 2016 年澳大利亚弯曲杆菌胃肠炎暴发的特征。

弯曲杆菌属 是细菌性胃肠炎的全球重要病因，澳大利亚的患病率高于许多可比的高收入国家。尽管疾病发生率很高，但在澳大利亚很少发现和报告弯曲杆菌病的爆发。我们研究了澳大利亚弯曲杆菌爆发的流行病学，特别强调评估公共卫生调查期间报告的传播途径和证据。肠道和食源性疾病爆发的国家登记册用于汇总所有弯曲杆菌的数据2001 年至 2016 年间澳大利亚报告的暴发。对暴发数据进行了审查并分析了一段时间内的趋势。向州和领地流行病学家寻求更多信息，以验证传播途径。总共报告了 84 次弯曲杆菌爆发，其中 51 次（61%）被归类为食源性。确定了 33 (65%) 次爆发的特定食物载体，其中 28 (85%) 次涉及鸡肉或含鸡肉的菜肴。虽然食源性弯曲杆菌爆发的比例没有增加，但对特定食品载体的检查表明，由于含有禽肝的食物，爆发的比例显着增加（p = 0.04）。在所有 1042 例与疫情相关的病例中，有四分之一发生在老年护理机构 (ACF)，包括 17 例相关住院和 3 例死亡。在审查证据数据后，确定 23 次暴发 (27%) 具有未知的传播途径，其中 10 次 (43%) 暴发发生在 ACF。弯曲杆菌属 仍然是澳大利亚胃肠炎爆发的不太常见的报告原因。尽管许多报告的暴发可能与食源性传播有关，但超过四分之一的人无法确定食物载体或传播源，尤其是发生在老年护理机构中的暴发。需要加大力度改进证据收集和对弯曲杆菌病爆发传播动态的理解，特别是在老年护理中。