According to news reports, the Solano County Public Health and Environment is investigating a campylobacteriosis outbreak connected with a restaurant in Fairfield. The restaurant is Alejandro’s Taqueria on Texas Street in Fairfield. 32 Campylobacter cases have been reported this month. The affected people ate at the restaurant between May 26 and May 29, health officials said. Officials closed the restaurant on June 8.

Campylobacteriosis is an acute gastrointestinal illness characterized by watery and/or bloody stool caused by ingestion of the microorganism Campylobacter jejuni or Campylobacter coli. Cases are most often reported as being associated with ingestion of contaminated food (particularly poultry), drinking contaminated water or milk and contact with infected animals (especially puppies and kittens). Although uncommon, person to person transmission can occur through fecal-oral route.

Signs and Symptoms:

–  Watery or Bloody Diarrhea – Nausea

–  Abdominal pain – Fever

–  Myalgia

Complication of campylobacteriosis include reactive arthritis, irritable bowel syndrome, and Guillain- Barre syndrome.

Source: The most common sources are feces of infected animals or persons, contaminated poultry, unpasteurized milk, meat, water or food products.

Diagnosis: Campylobacteriosis should be suspected in severe abdominal pain with diarrhea – clinical history, travel and food history, and recent contact with others who have similar symptoms will help identify an epidemiological link.

recommendations for Surveillance and Laboratory Testing: Obtain stool specimens for testing in patients who show symptoms of campylobacteriosis and report positive findings to Solano Public Health, Communicable Disease Program.