According to the CDC, a salmonella outbreak is defined as two or more culture-proven cases in people who share a common exposure. However, of approximately 1.4 million suspected cases of salmonella poisoning in the United States each year, only about 40,000 are culture-proven. When symptoms of food-borne illness first appear, quick action may help prevent an outbreak.
Discard Suspicious Foods
Step 1
Take a diet history from the affected person, keeping in mind that symptoms of salmonella poisoning appear 12 to 72 hours after exposure. Make sure to ask about how food was prepared and stored. Suspicious foods include raw or partially cooked foods and perishable foods stored at or above room temperature for more than two hours.
Step 2
Visit the FDA website (see Resources) for information on the latest food recalls. Unfortunately, contaminated foods may look and smell completely normal. Do not focus on specific foods. While dairy foods may be a good place to start, in the last five years, the FDA has issued recalls for fresh and processed foods in every food group, as well as pet foods and snacks.
Step 3
Discard suspicious foods. If the person's history points to a likely culprit, you are in luck. If not, you may wish to discard all of the shell eggs, fresh dairy products and ground meats in your pantry, because these are the foods associated with salmonella enteridis and salmonella typhimurium, the two most common strains implicated in human salmonella illness.
Use your garbage disposal if you have one. Salmonella is killed during routine water purification. If you don't, wrap the food securely to prevent animals or other humans from eating them and discard them with your trash.
Identify Animal Sources of Contamination
Step 1
Review your home for the presence of amphibians and reptiles. Frogs and turtles, in particular, are well-known reservoirs of salmonella bacteria. Children may acquire these as pets without informing their parents.
Step 2
Contact your veterinarian for information on how to dispose of the animal(s).
Step 3
Remove the animal and associated items, such as food, cages and toys.
Sanitize
Step 1
Salmonella bacteria can be transferred on hands, utensils and countertops. Identify places in your home where the infection may have been transferred, or perform a general cleaning.
Step 2
Wash your hands. Wet hands thoroughly with warm water and add soap. Thoroughly scrub your hands, wrists, fingernails and in between fingers for at least 20 seconds. Dry your hands with a clean cloth or paper towel.
Step 3
Wash dishes, tools, cutting boards and sponges in the dishwasher or soak them in a sanitizer solution for 10 minutes. Use a commercial sanitizer solution, or make your own by adding a teaspoon of chlorine bleach per quart of water.
Step 4
Sanitize countertops and other surfaces using sanitizer solution and a clean sponge or rag. Don't forget places such as the tray in the microwave and the handles on the refrigerator and faucets.
Tips and Warnings
- Get more information on how to prevent salmonella and other foodborne illnesses at the United States Government Food Safety Information Gateway. The address is listed at the end of this article.
Things You'll Need
- Garbage Disposal or Plastic Garbage Bags
- Soap
- Clean paper or cloth towels
- Commercial sanitizer solution or chlorine bleach
- Clean sponges or wipes
