Fact To Know About The Chicken Bug Spreading Rapidily

The likes of ASDA, Tesco, Morrison Coop and other Grocery chains have been named and shamed over dangerous levels of bacteria in chicken and a recent survey by Which? suggests just a third of consumers are aware of campylobacter.
What is it? 

Campylobacter is a bacterium that is currently found in most chicken sold in UK shops and is the most common bacterial cause of food poisoning in the UK. 

It is blamed for 280,000 cases of food poisoning across Britain each year - and up to 100 deaths.

 

What causes it? 

Scientists are unclear on its origin. It lives in the guts of warm-blooded animals such as poultry and cattle, as well as domestic dogs and cats.

When animals are slaughtered for food, contact with faeces can contaminate their carcasses.

 

Higher levels have been detected in chickens during the summer months. What are the symptoms?

The effects of the bacterium can last for over a week

Diarrhoea, stomach pain, fever, headache, feeling and/or being sick. It usually takes two to five days for them to kick in, although the onset of symptoms can range from one to 11 days.
 

How bad do they get?  

Infections are generally mild, but can be fatal among very young children, the elderly and people suffering from immunity-suppressing illnesses such as AIDS.

 

How do we get it?  

If contaminated meat is not cooked properly, the bacteria can then infect whoever eats it.

 

Chicken must be cooked through until juices run clear

Chicken is often the culprit, with undercooked chicken liver and liver pâté common sources.

Raw or contaminated milk, water or ice can carry it and it can be transmitted from pets that have diarrhoea, or from contact with livestock.

 

How is it treated? 

Most people recover without any specific treatment. People suffering from diarrhoea need to drink plenty to replace the fluids they have lost. Those with particularly acute cases, or who are vulnerable, are given antimicrobial medicines.

 

How can I stop myself getting it? 

Anything in contact with raw chicken must be thoroughly washed

 

It can be killed by heat and thoroughly cooking food.

 

Experts advise not washing chicken because it can spread the bug.

 

Making sure you wash your hands, knives and surfaces thoroughly when preparing raw meat prevents the bug travelling to other food such as salads.

 

A growing number of supermarkets now offer 'Bake In The Bag' products so you do not even have to touch the meat.

 
Skynews