Prevent Foodborne Illness

Community contributed by the Molokai Oompa Loompas

Hi, my name is Lily Jenkins and I’m Hikilii Chow.  We are a part of the Molokai Oompa Loompas. Our mission is to educate you on the following bacteria to ensure that you and your family stay healthy.  Campylobacteriosis is an infectious disease caused by bacteria and is usually contracted by eating undercooked poultry.  When an infected chicken is slaughtered, Campylobacter can be transferred from the intestines to the meat.  Most people who become ill with campylobacteriosis get diarrhea, cramping, abdominal pain and a fever within two to five days after being exposure to the organism. YUCK! The diarrhea may be bloody and can be accompanied by nausea and vomiting. The illness typically lasts one week. Some infected people do not have any symptoms. For people with compromised immune systems, Campylobacter occasionally spreads to the bloodstream and causes a serious life-threatening infection.  Although Campylobacter does not commonly cause death, it has been estimated that approximately 124 people with Campylobacter infections die annually in America.

To prevent contamination all poultry should be cooked to a minimum internal temperature of 165 F. Make sure that the meat is cooked throughout (no longer pink) and any juices run clear.
•    Wash hands with soap before preparing food.
•    Wash hands with soap after handling raw foods of animal origin and before touching anything else.
•    Prevent cross-contamination in the kitchen by using separate cutting boards for foods of animal origin and other foods.  Carefully clean all cutting boards, marble countertops and utensils with soap and hot water after preparing raw food of animal origin.
•    Avoid consuming unpasteurized milk and untreated surface water.
•    Make sure that people with diarrhea, especially children, wash their hands carefully and frequently with soap to reduce the risk of spreading the infection.
•    Wash hands with soap after contact with pet feces.

The Molokai Oompa Loompas encourage you to be food safe!