Infections from the bacterium Campylobacter are among the most common causes of food poisoning, and a new study has found that these infections are also common in Southeast Asia.
The study published in the International Journal of Infectious Diseases, which was a meta-analysis and systematic review of data from 51 studies, found that the overall prevalence of Campylobacter infections in Southeast Asia is 7.8%. This means that for every 1,000 people in Southeast Asia, about 78 will have an infection from this bacterium at some point. The study also found that there is a lot of variation in the prevalence of these infections between different countries in Southeast Asia. For example, the prevalence in Thailand is 13.3%.
There are many different ways that people can get infected with Campylobacter, but the most common is through eating contaminated food. The bacteria can also be spread through contact with animals, particularly poultry. Symptoms of a Campylobacter infection include diarrhea, cramping, and fever. Most people will recover from the infection without any treatment, but in some cases it can lead to more serious problems like pneumonia or meningitis.
The study authors say that more research is needed to understand the factors that contribute to the high prevalence of these infections in Southeast Asia. Better hygiene and food safety practices could help to reduce the number of people who get sick from Campylobacter.
