Salmonella
Introduction
Salmonella is a bacterial infection that can cause gastroenteritis, an inflammation of the stomach and intestines (Santus et al., 2022). It is usually caused by eating or drinking food or water contaminated with various forms of Salmonella bacteria. Symptoms include diarrhea, fever, abdominal cramps, and sometimes vomiting. The illness is usually self-limiting and can last from several days to weeks. Salmonella is most commonly spread through food or water contaminated with fecal matter from an infected person. It can also be spread through contact with animals and some other sources (Rukambile et al., 2019). Complications that may arise from the infection include dehydration, reactive arthritis, and sepsis. Treatment includes antibiotics and supportive measures such as hydration, electrolyte replacement, and adequate nutrition.
Demographics and the Disease Chain
Demographically, salmonella infection is most common in young children. The highest mortality from salmonella is seen in the elderly and those with weakened immune systems. The morbidity rate for salmonella is highest in developed countries, whereas the incidence and prevalence rates are highest in developing countries. The communicable disease chain can be used to identify risk factors associated with salmonella transmission. These include food or water contaminated with feces from an infected person, contact with animals, and other sources of contamination. The chain of infection also identifies risk factors that can lead to salmonella outbreak. The chain of infection can also be used to assess the impact of salmonella infection. Factors that contribute to the spread of the disease include the presence of a susceptible host, a source of contamination, an efficient route of transmission, and adequate conditions for the pathogen to grow and reproduce.
Why Salmonella is Reportable
Salmonella is a reportable disease because it is highly infectious and can cause serious complications. Reporting criteria vary from country to country but generally, any laboratory-confirmed salmonella infections must be reported to public health authorities. In the US, for example, all confirmed cases must be reported to the local or state health department within 24 hours.
Social Determinants of Health
Social determinants of health that can contribute to the development of salmonella include access to safe and nutritious food, access to safe and clean water, housing, sanitation, and healthcare services (Vidal et al., 2022). These factors can affect the prevalence, incidence, and mortality of salmonella by making it easier for the pathogen to spread in an environment that is not properly maintained and in populations that lack access to necessary resources. Additionally, social determinants of health can make certain populations more vulnerable to infection, such as young children, the elderly, and...
…Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is a national agency that contributes to reducing the impact of salmonella. The CDC conducts research on the causes and transmission of salmonella, and develops strategies to prevent and control the spread of the disease. The CDC also provides resources and guidelines to healthcare professionals, public health authorities, and the general public to increase awareness about the disease and preventive measures. The agency also works in partnership with other organizations to develop specific interventions, such as targeted vaccination campaigns and developing food safety regulations.Global Implication
Salmonella is a global concern, as it is found in all regions of the world. In areas with poorer sanitation and healthcare systems, such as many developing countries, the incidence and prevalence of salmonella is often higher due to increased risk factors. In these areas, interventions to reduce the spread of the disease often include access to safe food and water, improved sanitation, healthcare services, and public health education. For example, in India, the prevalence of salmonella infection is high due to the poor sanitation and hygiene practices. To address this, the government has implemented various public health initiatives to reduce the spread of the disease, such as the Clean India campaign, which focuses on improving the hygiene and sanitation…
References
Rukambile, E., Sintchenko, V., Muscatello, G., Kock, R., & Alders, R. (2019). Infection,colonization and shedding of Campylobacter and Salmonella in animals and their contribution to human disease: A review. Zoonoses and public health, 66(6), 562-578.
Santus, W., Rana, A. P., Devlin, J. R., Kiernan, K. A., Jacob, C. C., Tjokrosurjo, J., ... &Behnsen, J. (2022). Mycobiota and diet-derived fungal xenosiderophores promote Salmonella gastrointestinal colonization. Nature Microbiology, 7(12), 2025-2038.
Vidal, D. G., Oliveira, G. M., Pontes, M., Maia, R. L., & Ferraz, M. P. (2022). Theinfluence of social and economic environment on health. In One Health (pp. 205-229). Academic Press.
Salmonella Food-born illness Food-borne illnesses: Salmonella The salmonella bacterium is one of the most well-known and well-publicized health threats in the U.S. "Salmonella germs have been known to cause illness for over 100 years" (What is Salmonellosis, 2010, CDC). Salmonella bacteria can be present in the intestines of humans, and can be transmitted through consumption of tainted foods, water, or animal matter. Infections can be difficult to trace in the early stages, because
The symptoms of salmonella include fever, diarrhea, and abdominal cramps that appear about 12 to 72 hours after infection. The illness can last 4 to 7 days, and most people recover without treatment. It is most dangerous for the elderly, infants, and in people with certain other health disorders. After the FDA announced the outbreak, large restaurant chains like McDonald's, Taco Bell, Burger King and many others immediately pulled all their
Salmonella Fig 1. Salmonella Bacteria The first thing to note about Salmonella (seen in Fig. 1) is that it is a bacteria, and therefore a living organism. However the term "Salmonella" is used loosely in daily conversation to specify an illness caused by that bacteria in humans, and in other animals. Most people have some vague recollection of a "salmonella outbreak" caused by a contaminated food supply being reported in the media,
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