Salmonella Prevention Steps

Salmonella is a serious bacteria infection which infects thousands of people worldwide each year. In most cases people contracting the infection suffer from 4 to 7 days with a high fever, diarrhea, and abdominal cramps. These symptoms usually appear within one to three days of bacterial exposure. however, when the bacteria and infection get beyond the intestines and into the blood stream this infection can become quite serious and even result in death if not treated quickly with antibiotics.

Very young children , the elderly and those with abnormal immune systems are the most vulnerable to the more serious infection.

Recently a severe outbreak of Salmonella infection has hit people in some 19 states resulting in over one dozen deaths. To date the source of the bacterial infection has not been isolated, but the Center for Disease Control has been investigating tomatoes as a potential source. To date no tomatoes have been isolated as carriers of the infection.

At a loss as to finding the source of the bacteria CDC officials are reminding Americans in all states to be especially careful of the known high risk sources of Salmonella bacteria.

Sources of Salmonella Bacteria:

As Salmonella bacteria is most often found in the intestinal tracts of animals (including humans) it is most often contracted by eating food contaminated by fecal matter. this contamination may be the result of the meat food source not being properly cleaned during processing or by being handled by someone who previously made contact with a contaminated meat source.

The bacteria can not be seen or smelled. Contaminated foods appear clean and normal. While most (95%) contaminated foods come from animal food sources including beef, poultry, milk and eggs other foods including vegetables may become contaminated.

While it is unpleasant to consider Salmonella bacteria can contaminate food when a food handler (processing plant, restaurant, at home) fails to wash his/her hands with soap and hot water prior to handling food.

The bacteria can usually be killed by thorough cooking of foods, but many foods are often undercooked or are served uncooked (milk, tomatoes, eggs in salad dressing, etc.).

Another potential source is found when the food preparer fails to clean the kitchen counter or cutting board properly after using it to cut or prepare raw chicken, eggs, or other meat products containing the bacteria allowing the bacteria to be transferred to other foods.

Pets and petting zoos can often be a source of transmission of the bacteria. Parents need to be especially aware the feces of animals large and small are a primary carrier of this bacteria. In petting zoos animals often leave feces around the petting stall and many of the most popular animals have dried feces deposited in fur or feathers. Young chicks and birds often have diarrhea and are carriers of Salmonella bacteria.

Reptiles are also major carriers of Salmonella bacteria. This includes (especially) turtles and lizards and snakes.

If children (or adults) are to handle any of these animals they must be required to wash their hands using soap and hot water afterwords.

After visiting petting zoos parents should check the shoes of children to be sure that fecal matter is either not present or is removed with soap and water.

During this current outbreak from unknown sources the best prevention is to be aware and avoid the above potential sources of the bacteria. Until the current source is identified everyone should avoid eating any raw or undercooked meats and while this will be difficult at the very peak of the fresh vegetable season to be safe avoid raw vegetables until the CDC can pinpoint the current source of contamination. ..If vegetables are to eaten raw, thoroughly wash them with soap and water and rinse before eating.

Hopefully, the CDC will soon isolate the source of the current infection. Until then be aware of the potentail sources and take steps to avoid them.