Salmonella is a bacterium found widely in nature and associated with certain animals. It is one of the most frequent causes of gastrointestinal disease (diarrhea) in humans. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says approximately 40,000 cases of infection occur in the United States annually. Salmonellosis (the salmonella infection) can last up to a week; in most people, the infection is self-limiting and antibiotics are not required. However, certain groups of people, like the elderly and those with compromised immune systems, are at risk for severe disease. Salmonellosis has been traced to contamination via various food products, water and certain animals sold as pets.
Poultry and Eggs
Many strains of Salmonella are found normally in the intestinal tract of animals, particularly birds like chicken and turkey. Poultry products that are not thoroughly cooked can harbor the bacterium. In 2008, the U.S. Department of Agriculture issued a public health alert about raw, frozen, breaded and prebrowned stuffed chicken entrees. Complete cooking of meat and chicken will kill all bacteria. Just as in chickens, eggs can be a source of salmonellosis if the eggs are undercooked or eaten raw. The CDC say Salmonella is found in the ovaries of healthy-appearing hens and contaminates the eggs before the shells are formed.
Fruits and Vegetables
Many different types of fruits and vegetables have been tainted with Salmonella over the years; tomatoes, alfalfa sprouts and cantaloupes are three examples. Fruits and vegetables can become cross-contaminated with Salmonella in restaurants. They also may be subject to the organism on the farm through contact with manure or animals or if they are cleaned with contaminated water. Thoroughly washing with clean water and cooking are two ways to prevent Salmonella poisoning from fruits and vegetables.
Pets
According to a 2006 Gallup Annual lifestyle poll, 2 percent of Americans have reptiles as pets. The majority of reptiles of all sorts--turtles, lizards and even amphibians like frogs--are asymptomatic carriers of Salmonella. The risk from pet turtles and other reptiles has been well documented for decades. For this reason the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) banned the sale of small turtles in 1975. Contamination via pets is a real hazard for young children who handle them because of poor hand-washing techniques and the habit of putting their fingers in their mouth.
More recently, the CDC investigated a nationwide outbreak of Salmonella transmission from water frogs like the African Dwarf frog. These types of pets are common in aquariums and terrariums in some households.
