Salmonella
What is Salmonella?
Salmonella is a bacteria that causes an infection of the bowel. It is usually caught from eating contaminated or poorly handled food. Other sources are infected household pets, farm animals, or an infected person who handles food.
What are the symptoms?
An acute illness usually begins 6 - 72 hours after contact with the bacteria. Headache develops, usually with abdominal pain. Diarrhoea, vomiting and fever often occur. It usually lasts 3 - 5 days.
How is it treated?
Usually extra fluid and rest are recommended. However, a doctor should always be consulted and may give further treatment. Food workers must provide faeces specimens clear of salmonella bacteria before going back to work.
How is it spread?
People become infected when they swallow the bacteria. This can happen:
-
When handling food, especially undercooked chicken or meat or unpasteurised milk
-
When drinking from an unchlorinated water supply (eg tank or bore water)
-
From contact with infected pets, especially puppies and kittens with diarrhoea, and reptiles
-
By eating raw eggs, or foods with raw egg, such as cake mix, caesar salad and homemade ice-cream
-
From contact with infected people, including children and babies.
How to prevent it?
Wash hands carefully:
-
After going to the toilet or changing nappies
-
Before handling food
-
After touching uncooked poultry or meat
-
After playing or working with domestic animals or pets.
Look after food carefully:
-
Thaw frozen meat completely
-
Cook meat and poultry thoroughly
-
Keep raw meat and poultry separate from other foods in the refrigerator.
-
Store raw foods underneath cooked foods tp prevent contamination
-
Clean knives, cutting boards and other surfaces after contact with raw meatand poultry.
Remember
-
Wash your hands...
-
After going to the toilet
-
After playing or working with animals
-
Before handling food
-
After touching raw meat or chicken
-
-
Don't handle food if you have diarrhoea - it may spread
-
Avoid contact with infants, very elderly or ill people while you have diarrhoea.
Resources
For a printable version of this Salmonella information, click here.
For more information contact a Health Protection Officer at Toi Te Ora - Public Health Service, free phone 0800 221 555.
Tweet
< Back
