What Causes Campylobacter?

Campylobacter is a genus of bacteria. Why is it important? For one thing, it's commonly found in a host of foods, including chicken. Many Americans eat chicken for dinner nightly, so bacteria that congregate in this poultry are significant. Refrigeration typically doesn't kill this type of bacteria, although cooking will. However, undercooked chicken and other poultry can harbor this bacteria.

If it's not killed by cooking, it can cause foodborne illness. Campylobacter bacteria can cause sickness of varying severity in humans. Some food poisoning will resolve itself after a day or so. This is especially true of food poisoning in otherwise healthy, young individuals.