Background Campylobacteriosis is typically considered a foodborne disease. Poultry workers, however, may be at higher risk due to their close contact with the primary reservoir of Campylobacter. The objective of this study was to evaluate whether occupational poultry exposures are associated with campylobacteriosis in Minnesota.

Methods Campylobacter, Salmonella, Cryptosporidium, Shiga toxin-producing E. coli, and Yersinia infections are reportable to the Minnesota Department of Health. Cases reported during 2012–2016 were interviewed with a standard questionnaire to ascertain potential agriculture exposures. Using the population exposed to agricultural animals, we conducted a case-case comparison study comparing Campylobacter infections (cases) to Cryptosporidium, Shiga toxin-producing E. coli, and Yersinia infections (control-cases). These control pathogens were selected because poultry are not their primary reservoir, and thus infections likely came from non-poultry sources.

We determined whether campylobacteriosis was associated with working with poultry, and then if so, with what specific tasks. Odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated as measures of association.

Results Among all animal agriculture workers exposed (504 campylobacteriosis cases and 228 control-cases), campylobacteriosis was associated with working with poultry (OR=2.0; 95% CI: 1.5–2.8). Among poultry workers (276 cases and 86 control-cases), tasks associated with campylobacteriosis included slaughtering (OR=7.4; 95% CI: 1.0–55.4), removing dead birds (OR=7.5; 95% CI: 1.8–31.8), handling manure (OR=4.0; 95% CI: 1.2–13.4), and handling birds’ water (OR=2.1; 95% CI: 1.2–3.5).

Conclusions These results support the hypothesis that occupational exposure to poultry increases the risk of campylobacteriosis, and certain poultry-related tasks pose a higher risk of infection than others.