SALMONELLA Q&AFood contaminated with animal faeces is the most common source of infection for humans
What is salmonellosis?
Salmonellosis is the name given to a common infection of the gastrointestinal tract caused by the salmonella bacterium.
There are more than 2,000 different types of salmonella bacteria; S Agona is one of the less common strains found in the Republic and is usually identified in abot five cases here every year.
What are the symptoms of salmonellosis?
Diarrhoea, fever and tummy cramps develop between 12 and 72 hours after infection. The illness usually lasts four to seven days and most people recover without specific treatment. However, older people, infants and those with an impaired immune system are more likely to have a severe form of infection leading to dehydration and other complications.
How is the infection spread?
Salmonella lives naturally in a wide range of domestic and wild animals as well as in birds and in humans. Any of these can be the source of infection, although usually humans are affected when they eat food contaminated with animal faeces. Common sources of infection are contaminated poultry, milk, eggs or beef.
Humans can also be infected when food is handled by a person already carrying the bug.
How is it treated?
Resting and taking plenty of fluids until the infection has run its course is usually sufficient. However, some people with severe diarrhoea may require intravenous rehydration. Antibiotics are not normally used to treat the infection.
How common is salmonella?
In 2007 the Health Protection Surveillance Centre reported 456 cases of salmonella in the Republic. Some 60 per cent of infections were caused by the two commonest forms of salmonella, S Enteritidis and S Typhimurium. S Agona was identified in just three cases. The seasonal peak of infection was from mid-August to October. The highest number of cases is usually found in children under five.