Salmonellosis

Salmonellosis is a food-borne infection caused by the Salmonella bacteria. Symptoms include the sudden onset of headache, abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea, and sometimes vomiting. Fever is almost always present. Symptoms usually occur 12 to 36 hours after eating contaminated food or drinking contaminated water and can last 3 to 7 days. Most people recover without treatment.

How is Salmonellosis Spread?

Salmonellosis is spread by ingesting salmonella organisms in food, or food contaminated by feces of an infected animal or person, or by drinking contaminated water.

Salmonella is found in domestic and wild animals, including poultry, swine, cattle, and rodents. Pets such as iguanas, tortoises, turtles, chicks, dogs, and cats harbour the bacteria. Humans are a reservoir and animals and birds can be carriers.

Outbreaks have been caused by inadequately cooked poultry and poultry products, uncooked or lightly cooked foods containing egg and egg products, raw milk, and dairy products including dried milk. Foods can be contaminated with feces from infected food handlers.

Salmonella infections have been caused by foods such as meat and poultry products processed or prepared with contaminated utensils or on contaminated work surfaces.

Contaminated non-chlorinated water supplies have caused illnesses. Fecal-oral transmission may be the cause when diarrhea is present in infants.

How Can You Prevent Salmonellosis?

1. Thoroughly wash hands before, during, and after food preparation.
2. Cook ground poultry and poultry pieces to a minimum temperature of 74º C (165º F).
   Whole poultry must be cooked to 85º C (185º F). Cook other ground meats to 71º C (160º F). Use a probe thermometer to verify cooking temperatures.
3. Place cooked foods only on clean surfaces to prevent recontamination.
4. Do not leave food at room temperature for longer than two hours.
5. Use only pasteurized milk and milk products.
6. Do not consume raw eggs or inadequately cooked eggs (over easy, or sunny side up).
7. Do not use raw eggs in eggnogs and homemade ice cream.
8. Do not use cracked eggs.
9. Do not buy turtles, chicks, or ducklings for pets.
10. Do not prepare food, care for hospitalized patients, the elderly, and children if you have diarrhea.

Revised: 2010-10-12