DODGY homemade chicken could be to blame for the highest surge in food poisoning cases in Cairns in three years.
Health officials warned Far North Queenslanders to improve their food hygiene and preparation practices, as 61 people have fallen ill with food poisoning caused by campylobacter bacteria since the start of the year.
By comparison, 55 people were diagnosed during the same month and a half period last year, 32 in 2014 and 24 in 2013.
Campylobacter is one of the most common causes of foodborne illness in Australia and is similar to salmonella.
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