Montana Campylobacter Outbreak Investigated at Campfire Lodge

Campylobacteriosis is a bacterial disease caused by Campylobacter jejuni or Campylobacter coli.

Campylobacter usually causes a mild to severe infection of the gastrointestinal system, including watery or bloody diarrhea, fever, abdominal cramps, nausea, and vomiting. Indirect transmission of the bacteria through consumption of contaminated food or water is the most common route of infection.

Public Health Officials in Gallatin County have confirmed cases of Campylobacter infection in the West Yellowstone area and believe the cause may be contaminated well water at the Campfire Lodge Resort Public Water Supply System. They believe 80 people may have been sickened by the outbreak.

As the investigation continues, the Montana Department of Environmental Quality is recommending that water be boiled before use for human consumption, or that individuals should purchase bottled water.

Law firm Pritzker Olsen is conducting its own investigation and gathering information from those sickened in the Montana Campylobacter outbreak at Camfire Lodge in the Hebgen Lake area.

If you or a loved one has been diagnosed as having Campylobacter, our firm can answer legal questions about a possible Campylobacter lawsuit filed in Montana. To reach an attorney for this free case consultation, call 1-888-377-8900 (Toll Free) or complete the contact form on this Web page.

Campylobacter is a common type of foodborne or waterborne illness, but it should not be taken lightly. In a small percentage of cases, patients may develop Guillain-Barre Syndrome, which can lead to paralysis or death.

Campfire Lodge Campylobacter Outbreak

At least 80 people are ill from a Montana Campylobacter outbreak that state health officials think is linked to contaminated well water at the Campfire Lodge Resort outside West Yellowstone in the Hebgen Lake area.

Matt Kelley, health officer for the Gallatin City-County Health Department, said the suspect well has been turned off and the resort's restaurant has been closed. Until further testing is done, the resort is under a boil water advisory from the health department. 

Untreated water can carry Campylobacter due to contamination from infected animal or human feces. The Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services has confirmed 14 cases of Campylobacter and many others are suspected as test results are pending. 

The Campfire Lodge Campylobacter outbreak was detected from a cluster of Campylobacter infections reported in the Hebgen Lake area -- traced to the suspect well through food history interviews done by public health nurses and others.

Campylobacter causes painful diarrhea, fever and vomitting and is one of the most common forms of foodborne illness in the United States. But infections should not be taken lightly. If you or a loved one has been sickened in this outbreak, seek medical attention.  

Campylobacter symptoms can occur as early as one day, or as late as 10 days, after exposure to the organism. The illness typically lasts a week. In rare cases, Campylobacter can cause Guillain-Barré syndrome, a servere illness that can lead to paralysis and death.

Law firm Pritzker Olsen is investigating this outbreak independently of state and local health officials for a possible Campylobacter lawsuit. If you have been sickened after a stay at Campfire Lodge Resort or eating at the Camfire Lodge restaurant and have legal questions about possible compensation for your illness, contact our firm at 1-888-377-8900 or complete the contact form on the side of this Web page.

Pritzker Olsen is a leading national practitioner in foodborne illness litigation and we have years of experience representing victims of Campylobacter and other forms of food poisoning. We have collected millions for our clients and as a law firm we are actively involved in efforts to reduce and eliminate human pathogens from our food supply.