salmonella

• Salmonella is a group of bacteria that can cause diarrhoea, fever and abdominal cramps in humans 12 to 72 hours after infection (incubation period)
• Salmonella


  Microscopic living creatures that pass from the faeces of people/animals to other people/animals
• Public Health England produce monthly updates of salmonella outbreaks (in March 2017 there were 458 recorded cases in England and Wales)
• Salmonella live in the intestinal tracts of humans and other animals


  Especially found in poultry, raw meat, mice, rats, domestic pets, flies, and birds
• Salmonella may also be found in the faeces of some pets, chicks, and young birds (especially those with diarrhoea)
• Reptiles, such as turtles, lizards, and snakes, are particularly likely to harbor Salmonella
• Foods commonly associated with outbreaks

  • Egg/egg products, chicken, beef, milk
• Means of spread


  1. Foods of animal origin are consumed such as poultry, meat, unpasteurised milk, dried egg powder, egg shell

  2. Cross contamination from raw meat/poultry to cooked foods

  3. Salmonella transmitted to humans by eating foods contaminated with animal faeces
• Salmonella can be spread by

  Insects, pests, vermin, and domestic pets
• Contaminated foods usually look and smell normal; often of animal origin, such as beef, poultry, milk, or eggs, but can be any food (including vegetables if contaminated by animal manure or untreated water)
• Some foods may become contaminated after being cooked, e.g., cold meats
• Risks to Health & Susceptible Groups

  1. The incubation period varies depending on overall fitness/age and the amount/strain of salmonella ingested

  2. Symptoms depend on the dose ingested and strain of salmonella

  3. "Gastroenteritis" syndrome characterized by nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain/cramps, and diarrhoea within 8-48 hours of ingesting salmonella

  4. More severe symptoms in 'high-risk' groups (older adults, babies/young children, pregnant women, suppressed immune system)