Prevention Of Salmonellosis

What should you consider for preventing salmonellosis? There are a number of guidelines that can help reduce the risk of this bacterial infection that affects the digestive system. Its implementation is very important, as it is a highly contagious disease.

What is salmonellosis?

Salmonellosis is an infection caused by Salmonella bacteria , which affects the intestinal tract. Normally,  this bacteria lives in the intestines of animals and humans. They are usually transmitted to humans through ingestion of contaminated food and water. However, there can be other routes of infection.

infection symptoms

In general, people with salmonella infection have no symptoms. When symptoms do occur, they can include diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps that stop within a few days without specific treatment, until complications that require medical attention, such as dehydration and the spread of infection, begin.

Other symptoms can include chills, headaches and bloody stools. It is essential to receive care, as lack of treatment can lead to other, more serious health problems. 

Salmonellosis contagion pathways

Humans are most often infected by contaminated food or water. Food hygiene is essential to prevent salmonellosis. The risk of getting salmonella infection is greater if you travel to countries with poor hygiene conditions.

Salmonella infection is usually caused by eating raw or undercooked meat, poultry, eggs, or egg products. Foods that may be infected include the following:

• Raw meat, poultry and fish. During the slaughter process, meat, pork and poultry can be contaminated. In turn, seafood and fish can be contagious if they are obtained from contaminated water.
• Raw eggs. Some infected chickens produce eggs containing salmonella even before the shell is formed. Raw eggs are used in homemade mayonnaise or hollandaise sauce.
• Fruits and vegetables. Some fresh produce, especially imported varieties, may have been hydrated in the field or washed during processing with water contaminated with salmonella. Contamination can also occur in the kitchen when raw meat or poultry juices come into contact with raw foods such as salads.

Many foods are contaminated by being prepared by people who do not wash their hands well after using the bathroom or changing a diaper. Infection can also occur when touching something contaminated, such as pets, and then putting your fingers in your mouth.

Measures to prevent salmonellosis

Food hygiene is essential to prevent salmonellosis. WHO encourages control at all stages of the food chain, from agricultural production to food processing, manufacturing and preparation, both in commercial establishments and in homes.

In our homes, prevention starts with good food storage and continues with habits such as washing hands before cooking and wearing gloves when handling pet waste.

Wash the hands

Washing your hands carefully  can help prevent the transfer of salmonella bacteria to your mouth or food. Wash your hands after using the bathroom, changing diapers, handling raw meat, cleaning up pet waste, and handling reptiles and birds.

keep items separate

To avoid cross contamination, store raw meat, poultry and fish separately from other foods in your refrigerator; use different cutting boards for raw meat and vegetables. Also, never put cooked food on a dirty dish that contained raw meat.

avoid eating raw eggs

Cookie dough, eggnog and homemade ice cream contain raw eggs. If you need to consume them, make sure they are pasteurized.

Conclusion on preventing salmonellosis

The prevention of salmonellosis depends, to a great extent, on the hygiene measures that are taken from the food production process to its handling at home. While there are unavoidable situations, the risk can be reduced with simple habits such as hand washing, avoiding food mixing and ensuring optimal cooking.