Causes and Symptoms of Salmonellosis
Salmonellosis is an infection with a bacteria called Salmonella, Salmonella live in the intestinal tracts of animals, including birds. Salmonella are usually transmitted to humans by eating foods contaminated with animal feces.
Every year, approximately 40,000 cases of salmonellosis are reported in the United States. Because many milder cases are not diagnosed or reported, the actual number of infections may be thirty or more times greater. Approximately 700 to 925 cases of salmonellosis are reported each year in Minnesota.
- Salmonellosis Fact Sheet
Answers to frequently asked questions about Salmonellosis.
- Salmonella Infections
CDC fact sheet that answers some common questions about Salmonellosis.
- Typhoid Fever
CDC fact sheet that answers some common questions about Typhoid Fever (Salmonella typhi).
- abdominal pain and cramps
Symptoms usually begin within 12 to 96 hours after exposure, but can begin up to 2 weeks after exposure.
Duration of Illness
- Salmonella infections usually resolve in 5-7 days.
Contaminated foods are often of animal origin, such as poultry, pork, beef, poultry, milk, or eggs, but all foods, including vegetables may become contaminated.
Many raw foods of animal origin are frequently contaminated, but fortunately, thorough cooking kills Salmonella.
Food may also become contaminated by the unwashed hands of an infected food handler, who did not wash his or her hands adequately after using the bathroom.
Salmonella may also be found in the feces of some pets, and people can become infected if they do not wash their hands after contact with animals.
- Reptiles and baby chicks/ducklings are particularly likely to harbor
- People should always wash their hands immediately after handling these animals.
- Adults should also be careful that children wash their hands after handling a reptile.
Do you suspect that you have a foodborne or waterborne illness? Visit reporting suspected foodborne/waterborne illnesses.