Intended for healthcare professionals

Research Article

Milk-borne campylobacter infection.

Br Med J (Clin Res Ed) 1981; 282 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.282.6273.1374 (Published 25 April 1981) Cite this as: Br Med J (Clin Res Ed) 1981;282:1374
  1. D A Robinson,
  2. D M Jones

    Abstract

    The common factor in 13 recent outbreaks of Campylobacter jejuni enteritis was the consumption of unpasteurised or incompletely pasteurised milk. C jejuni is a common commensal in the alimentary tract of milking cows, but it is not clear how the milk becomes contaminated with the organism. Pasteurisation will readily eliminate the organism from milk. In England and Wales 3% of milk retailed is still unpasteurised, and in the light of these findings it is suggested that only pasteurised milk should be sold to the public.