Salmonella is a bacteria that can cause food-borne infection called Salmonellosis. Symptoms include sudden onset of fever, headache, diarrhea, stomach cramps, nausea and sometimes vomiting. Symptoms usually occur 12 to 36 hours after eating contaminated food or water.

How is Salmonellosis Spread?
Salmonella infection is spread by eating food contaminated by feces of an infected animal or person, or by drinking contaminated water. It can be spread from person-to-person. Proper hygiene and safe food handling are key to preventing food-borne illnesses such as salmonella.

Salmonella is found in domestic and wild animals, including poultry, wild birds, swine, cattle, and rodents. Pets such as iguanas, tortoises, turtles, chicks, dogs and cats may harbour the bacteria. Humans are carriers of certain types of salmonella.

Outbreaks have been caused by inadequately cooked poultry and poultry products, uncooked or lightly cooked foods containing egg and egg products, raw milk and dairy products including dried milk. Foods have been contaminated with feces from infected food handlers.

Salmonella infections have been caused by foods such as meat and poultry products processed or prepared with contaminated utensils or on contaminated work surfaces. Salmonella outbreaks have also been linked to raw fruits and vegetables (including sprouts) and unpasteurized dairy products, like raw milk and raw milk cheeses.

Contaminated non-chlorinated water supplies can also cause salmonella infections. Fecal-oral transmission may be the cause when diarrhea is present in infants.

How Can You Prevent Salmonellosis?

• Thoroughly wash hands before, during and after food preparation.
• Do not prepare food, care for hospitalized patients, the elderly or children if you have diarrhea.
• Cook ground poultry and poultry pieces to a minimum temperature of 74 degrees Celsius (165 degrees Fahrenheit). Whole poultry must be cooked to 85 degrees Celsius (180 degrees Fahrenheit). Cook other ground meats to 71degrees Celsius (160 degrees Fahrenheit). Use a probe thermometer to verify cooking temperatures.
• Place cooked foods on clean surfaces to prevent recontamination.
• Do not leave food at room temperature for longer than two hours.
• Use only pasteurized milk and milk products.
• Do not consume raw eggs or inadequately cooked eggs (over easy, or sunny side up).
• Do not use raw unpasturized eggs in eggnogs and homemade ice cream.
• Do not use cracked eggs.

Source:

Ontario Ministry of Health and Long Term Care, Salmonella backgrounder.