What is Salmonella?
Salmonella is an infection caused by bacteria. Salmonella can contaminate many different foods, but most often is found in raw chicken and eggs, or in foods made with these ingredients. Cross-contamination occurs when food handlers are not careful about hand washing and or, the disinfection of tools, equipment and preparation surfaces.
Salmonella refers to a genus of rod shaped bacterium, named after their discoverer Daniel Salmon in 1906. Some of these salmonella bacterium are responsible for many illnesses in humans and other animals. Most commonly, salmonella is the cause of food poisoning and typhoid fever. Salmonella lives in the intestines of mammals, birds and reptiles and is usually harmless. The type of salmonella that is a health hazard is usually contracted by touching raw meat, raw eggs, raw shellfish or unpasteurized animal products such as milk and cheese. Salmonella bacterium can also be acquired by touching living turtles, birds and humans that have the bacteria on their hands. Salmonella is not a threat until it is ingested, which is one reason why hand washing is important. Salmonella food poisoning is the result of touching or eating contaminated foods. Its symptoms include diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal cramps and fever. Many foods that people prepare in their home, especially meats and poultry, ha
