Salmonella bacteria is a group of infectious agents that causes salmonellosis, a type of intestinal infection. Salmonella is one of the most common sources of food poisoning, according to FoodSafety.gov. Symptoms of the infection last about four to seven days and include diarrhea, vomiting, nausea and sometimes a fever. Salmonella can be contracted from home-prepared foods, but it can also be contracted while dining out. Individuals who suspect salmonella as the cause of their illness should take the steps necessary to report it to health officials. Reporting outbreaks can help identify the source and stop the spread of the illness.
Step 1
Seek medical attention for suspected salmonella poisoning. In most cases, the infection isn't a medical emergency, but it will require testing to identify the bacteria.
Step 2
Provide samples as requested by the health-care provider. This can include blood or stool samples for testing. The lab test can take one or more days to process.
Step 3
Follow up with the health-care provider to obtain the results of the testing. The facility may have a procedure that is followed for reporting the salmonella case to public health officials, such as the county health department, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Step 4
Provide information surrounding the infection, including places where food has been purchased or eaten. If others in the household or workplace have also come down with the infection, this information will be pertinent to the health officials in identifying the source of the problem.
Step 5
Request the contact information from the medical facility that confirmed the salmonella infection for the appropriate health officials' offices if necessary. In most cases, the medical facility will report the case as part of internal procedures.
