Campylobacteriosis in Poland in 2012.

Objective: The aim of this paper is to evaluate epidemiological situation of campylobacteriosis in Poland in 2012, compared to the situation in previous years.

Methods: The evaluation was based on analysis of data from the annual bulletin "Infectious diseases and poisonings in Poland" 2011-2012 (MP Czarkowski et al., NIZP-PZH and Chief Sanitary Inspectorate-GIS), information from the forms of individual cases reports from the epidemiological investigations in outbreaks of campylobacteriosis, submitted by the sanitary-epidemiological stations to the Department of Epidemiology and data from the Department of Demographic Studies of the Central Statistical Office. Cases were classified according to a surveillance case definition.

Results: In 2012, 431 cases of campylobacteriosis were registered in Poland, which was 30% more than in 2011. The incidence was 1.12/100 000. All reported cases were classified. No deaths were recorded. More than 84% of cases of campylobacteriosis occurred in four provinces - Warmińsko-Mazurskie (35%), Śląskie (22%), Mazowieckie (14%) and the Malopolskie (14%). The highest incidence was observed in the Warmińsko-Mazurskie- 6.47/100 000. As in previous years, the percentage of hospitalized cases was 57.5%. Campylobacter species was identified in more than 77% of patients, and it was found that 70% of the cases were caused by C. jejuni and about 7% by C. coli. As in previous years, the majority of cases (343, 79%) occurred in the age group 0-4. Five family outbreaks caused by Campylobacter were recorded in 2012.

Conclusions: In Poland Campylobacteriosis is rarely diagnosed, confirmed and reported. Routine diagnosis of infection with Campylobacter sp. is performed only in the two provinces.