Reporting & Investigation of Campylobacter

Table of Contents

A. Purpose of Surveillance and Reporting

To identify transmission sources of major public health concern (e.g., a restaurant or commercially distributed food product) and to stop transmission from such sources.

To identify whether the case may be a source of infection for other persons (e.g., a diapered child, child care attendee or food handler) and, if so, to prevent further transmission.

B. Laboratory and Healthcare Provider Reporting Requirements

Iowa Administrative Code 641-1.3(139) stipulates that the laboratory and the healthcare provider must report. The preferred reporting method is through the Iowa Disease Surveillance System (IDSS). The reporting phone number for IDPH Center for Acute Disease Epidemiology (CADE) is (800) 362-2736; fax number (515) 281-5698, mailing address:

Iow Department of Public Health, CADE
Lucas State Office Building, 5th Floor
321 E. 12th St.
Des Moines, IA 50319-0075

Postage-paid disease reporting forms are available free of charge from the IDPH clearinghouse. Call (319) 398-5133 or visit the website: healthclrhouse.drugfreeinfo.org/cart.php?target=category&category_id=295 to request a supply.

Laboratory Testing Services Available

The University of Iowa State Hygienic Laboratory (SHL) will test stool specimens for the presence of Campylobacter and will confirm and speciate isolates sent from clinical specimens at other laboratories. Additionally, SHL requests that all laboratories submit all organisms isolated during an outbreak for possible strain typing to aid in the public health surveillance necessary for this illness. Call the SHL (319) 335-4500 for more information, or visit: www.shl.uiowa.edu/

The SHL will test implicated food items from a cluster or outbreak.  Specimens are submitted through local public health departments.

C. Local Public Health Agency (LPHA) Follow-Up Responsibilities

Case Investigation

All cases of campylobacter are followed up on by interviewing the case and the case’s healthcare provider or reviewing the medical record. Please use the Iowa Disease Surveillance System (IDSS) when possible for data collection.

  1. It is the LPHA responsibility to complete an investigation by interviewing the case and others who may be able to provide pertinent information.
  2. Record the demographic information, date of symptom onset and diagnosis, symptoms, hospitalization information, and medical information.
  3. When asking about exposure history (food, restaurants, travel, activities, etc.), use the incubation range for campylobacter of 1 -10 days.
  4. Ask if the patient knows others who have similar illness about the same time.
  5. If several attempts have been made to obtain case information, but have been unsuccessful (e.g., the case or healthcare provider does not return calls or respond to a letter, or the case refuses to divulge information or is too ill to be interviewed), enter into IDSS as much information as has been gathered. Please explain in the notes section in IDSS the reason why the investigation could not be completed. If using IDSS, select the appropriate reason under the Event tab in the Event Exception field.

After completing the interview enter the information into IDSS.  If IDSS is not available, fax (515), 281-5698 the investigation form or mail to:

Iowa HHS, CADE
Lucas State Office Building
321 E. 12th St.
Des Moines, IA 50319-0075

  • Institution of disease control measures is an integral part of case investigation. It is the LPHA responsibility to understand, and if necessary institute the control guidelines listed below in 4) Controlling Spread.