Smileband health topics

Salmonellosis is a bacterial infection that is caused by Salmonella species. The most common species seen in the United States are Salmonella serotype Typhimurium and Salmonella serotype Enteritidis.

 

The illness can have variable severity and is commonly manifested by:

• diarrhea (sometimes bloody)
• abdominal pain
• nausea
• vomiting

Asymptomatic infections may occur and the organism may cause extraintestinal infections.

In Arizona, there is usually a range from 600 to 1000 cases of Salmonellosis (excluding S. Typhi and S. Paratyphi) reported yearly.

 

Arizona 5 year median: 1,010 cases

 

Transmission
Salmonella is transmitted through contaminated food or water, or contact with infected animals. Salmonella is also transmitted person-to-person by the fecal-oral route.

Animals may be a source of Salmonella infection for humans. Salmonella may also be found in the feces of some pets, especially those with diarrhea. Reptiles, such as turtles, lizards, and snakes, and amphibians, such as frogs, are particularly likely to harbor Salmonella. Many chicks and young birds carry Salmonella in their feces. Lab Tests & Specimen Info

Test*	Specimen
Culture (All positive Salmonella samples are automatically forwarded to the State Public Health Laboratory for further serotyping.)	Stool

Immunoassay tests are not recommended.

Isolation Precautions
Enteric precautions are recommended in healthcare settings. 

Prevention for Patients 

• If served undercooked meat, poultry or eggs in a restaurant, send it back to the kitchen for further cooking.
• Wash hands, kitchen work surfaces, and utensils with soap and water immediately after they have been in contact with raw meat or poultry.
• Be particularly careful with foods prepared for infants, the elderly, and the immunocompromised.
• Wash hands with soap after handling reptiles, birds, or baby chicks, and after contact with pet feces.
• Avoid direct or even indirect contact between reptiles (turtles, iguanas, other lizards, snakes) and infants or immunocompromised persons.
• Don't work with raw poultry or meat, and an infant (e.g., feed, change diaper) at the same time.
• Mother's milk is the safest food for young infants. Breastfeeding prevents salmonellosis and many other health problems.

Public Health Actions
Public health will conduct an epidemiologic investigation to determine the source, risk factors, and transmission settings.