Cases of Campylobacter-related illnesses, commonly found in poultry and raw milk, are on the rise, as incidents grew by 14 percent over the last five years, a government study reports.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report was based on foodborne infections in only 10 states - about 15 percent of the American population. But it is seen as a good indicator of food poisoning trends - the CDC refers to it as "the nation's annual food safety report card," reports the Associated Press.

The report also notes that food poisonings have held steady in recent years, with no significant jumps in pathogens like E. coli or Salmonella. Campylobacter, however, accounted for more than a third of illnesses in those 10 states and a tenth of the deaths. The study also noted a 43 percent increase of illnesses related to vibrio, which is associated with shellfish.

Health officials said it's not clear why campylobacter cases have increased, or which food or foods was the source of most of the added illnesses.

Source: AP