EpiCGulls

Campylobacteriosis has been the most commonly reported gastrointestinal infection in humans, in the European Union since 2005. The most common pathogen is Campylobacter jejuni which can be frequently found in poultry and wild birds that serve as important reservoirs for this bacterium. Research on the population of wild birds is still gaining momentum, and the fact that several direct transmissions from wild birds to humans have been described so far makes them an extremely interesting group to study.

Yellow-legged gull (Larus michahellis) is a wild bird that can be commonly found in Croatia. They are breeding on islands and islets in the Adriatic Sea, but recently they also started breeding on rooftops in cities and they are more frequent among people. C. jejuni is one of the Campylobacter spp. that can be normally found in their gastrointestinal tract.

During this project, we will gather valuable information about the Yellow-legged gulls movement and interaction with people that will help us to better understand the pathways of Campylobacter jejuni in the ecosystem through this wild bird.