Salmonella & Our food By: Matthew Fields

How do we prevent the foodborne illness, salmonella, in our food?

What is Salmonella? Salmonella is a bacterium that occurs mainly in the intestine, especially a serotype causing food poisoning. Scientists have discovered more than 2000 types of Salmonella, but only a few of them lead to illnesses in general. Salmonella enteritidis Salmonella typhimurium Salmonella choleraesuis Salmonella typhi

Salmonella Enteritidis Salmonella Typhimurium Salmonella Causes Salmonella Enteritidis Salmonella Typhimurium Salmonella Enteritidis is caused by eating raw of half boiled eggs.  This is the most common bacteria and is infected to the hens through their intestines and even before the egg shell is formed, the bacteria affect the egg yolk.  This infection can be caused while picking the poultry products also.  This can be transmitted through contamination of soil or water also. Salmonella Typhimurium is spread by unhygienic conditions, stagnant water, improperly washing the dishes, raw meat, dirty food habits, and also through pets. Diseases like pericarditis, hemolytic uremic syndrome, abdominal cramping, muscle aches, fever, etc are caused by these types of bacteria.

Salmonella Choleraesuis Salmonella Causes Salmonella Choleraesuis Salmonella Typhi This is usually transmitted through animal feeds to animals and upon consumption of infected animal meat to humans.  This is also environment related and is caused due to unhygienic surroundings. Unhealthy food, improper sanitation, contaminated water are the common causes of these bacteria.  These are also spread through environment.

Salmonella Preventions Salmonella Enteritidis Salmonella Typhimurium Avoid eating raw eggs or homemade ice creams or cakes baked using raw eggs. Do not eat stored foods made of eggs, eat them when hot. Properly wash your hands after gardening or shopping poultry products before you make contact with your face. Avoid eating undercooked egg food outside or at restaurants as these may contain the bacteria. Always clean your hands after gardening or playing with pets. Always maintain healthy and hygienic conditions at home. Never eat uncooked or raw fruits and vegetables without properly washing them. Never expose raw meat to open environment and always properly cook the poultry or cattle meat to eat.

Salmonella Prevention Salmonella Choleraesuis Salmonella Typhi Avoid taking contaminated food like animal meat without properly cooking and cleaning. Cleaning your garbage and disposing the garbage regularly can avoid from this infection. Keeping and maintaining healthy and hygienic environment and surroundings also reduces the risk of infection from these types of bacteria. Drink only thoroughly processed and boiled water. Eat only properly cooked and cleaned foods. Maintain healthy and hygienic surroundings with proper sanitation.

Take Aways These are the most dangerous types of Salmonella.  Most of these infections cause death when not properly diagnosed and treated.  Avoid taking contaminated food like animal meat without properly cooking and cleaning. Avoid eating raw eggs or homemade ice creams or cakes baked using raw eggs. Always clean your hands after gardening or playing with pets. Never expose raw meat to open environment and always properly cook the poultry or cattle meat to eat.