Eurosurveillance - Volume 30, Issue 48, 04 December 2025

Campylobacter is one of the leading causes of gastrointestinal disease.

We aimed to investigate trends in the incidence rate of campylobacteriosis in Israel.

We collected data on laboratory-confirmed cases of campylobacteriosis reported to the Israel Sentinel Laboratory-Based Surveillance Network (ISLBSN) in 2013–2022. Trends in the incidence rates of campylobacteriosis were evaluated using the Joinpoint software to calculate annual percent change (APC) and by time series analysis auto-regressive integrated moving average model.

Between 2013 and 2022, 43,334 cases of campylobacteriosis were reported to the ISLBSN. The highest incidence rate of campylobacteriosis was observed in children aged 0-4 years (327.8/100,000) and overall, the incidence rate was higher among Jews and others (98.7/100,000) than among Arabs (85.9/100,000). However, the incidence rate among Arabs aged 0-4 years was higher (546.3/100,000) than among Jews and others (316.9/100,000). The incidence rate decreased significantly from 101.7 per 100,000 in 2013 to 79.4 per 100,000 in 2020 (APC = −2.7%) and then increased to 109.5 per 100,000 in 2022 (APC = 13.9%). We identified consistent peaks in incidence rate in April–May, specifically among Jews and others, with no corresponding increase among Arabs. Passover weeks were associated with a significantly higher risk of campylobacteriosis (incidence rate ratio (IRR) = 1.18; 95% CI: 1.12 to 1.23; p < 0.0001) compared with non-Passover weeks.

Campylobacteriosis incidence rate in Israel is high, particularly among young children. Collaboration between veterinary and public health authorities and timely public awareness campaigns, especially before holidays, are essential to reduce zoonotic transmission and prevent future peaks.

Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) can cause illnesses ranging from self-limiting diarrhoea to severe manifestations such as haemolytic-uraemic syndrome (HUS). In 2023, an increase in notified STEC cases was observed in the German federal state of Lower Saxony and nationwide.

We aimed to investigate possible reasons for the observed increase.

We analysed data on notified STEC cases at federal and state level. All available STEC isolates from Lower Saxony from 2023 were whole genome sequenced. We sent a survey on detection and identification methods to 25 clinical microbiology laboratories in Lower Saxony.

In 2023, a statistically significant increase in notified STEC cases in all ages was seen in Lower Saxony and nationwide when compared with case numbers in 2022 and the median of 2015–2019 (p < 0.01). The highest increase was observed in people aged 60–69 years: 110 cases were notified in Lower Saxony in 2023 (median 2015–2019: 26) and 471 cases nationwide (median 2015–2019: 182). No overall increase was seen in disease severity or in the number of HUS cases. No larger genetic clusters or outbreaks were identified in Lower Saxony. The survey among the 17 responding laboratories in Lower Saxony revealed an increased use of multiplex PCR assays for gastrointestinal pathogens, introduced mainly in 2023.

The increase in notified STEC cases was probably associated with the implementation of multiplex PCR assays for the analysis of gastrointestinal specimens. Our findings highlight the need to monitor diagnostic practices when assessing and evaluating surveillance data.