Salmonella & Tomatoes

cdc-map-of-incidence-salmonella Seems uncooked tomatoes in nine states have been linked to approximately 70 cases of salmonella since late April according to the CDC (Center for Disease Control Atlanta GA). Salmonella SaintPaul is the type of salmonella identified in the outbreak. It appears Salmonella Saintpaul is a relatively uncommon type of salmonella so the source should be able to be found relatively quickly.

Here's an overview for you and your family.

What Is Salmonella and What Causes It?

Salmonella is a type of bacteria found in the intestines of birds, reptiles and mammals (including people).

People either eat contaminated food or come into contact with infected people or contaminated surfaces. The person then either puts their fingers, bites their nails or otherwise introduces the bacteria into their system.

Some people carry Salmonella and have no symptoms or effect from the disease. These people are known as carriers. If these individuals do not use good personal hygiene (wash hands thoroughly after going to the bathroom), they can spread Salmonella to others who are susceptible to the Salmonella bacteria.

The bacteria enters the intestines and rapidly grows. As it grows it causes diarrhea and abdominal cramps.

Salmonella outbreaks can happen with contaminated soil. This can happen from animal feces in growing soil. The soil can also be contamined by human fecal contamination through lack of fieldworkers sanitation facilities.

Salmonella can also occur when food preparation surfaces are contaminated with the bacteria. An individual eats the food prepared on the surface and becomes ill.

What Are The Symptoms of Salmonella?

Salmonella symptoms generally appear 12-72 hours after the person is infected. Usual symptoms include abdominal cramps, diarrhea along with a fever. The duration is usually 4-7 days. If you think you have salmonella contact your health care provider for treatment and advice.

Who's At Risk?

People who have impaired immune systems, such as organ transplant recipients, people receiving chemotherapy, and AIDS are at risk. Pregnant women, the elderly, very young children, diabetes, those with chronic liver disease and those with kidney failure are also considered to be in the high risk group.

How Can They Tell What Type of Salmonella It Is?

When people go to their doctor for treatment of the diarrhea associated with salmonella a test called a stool culture is done. Basically a lab person looks at a small sample of the diarrhea to determine what variety of salmonella it is. Like people salmonella bacteria has identifying marks like fingerprints so lab personnel can tell the type of salmonella is present (or not). In the US and other countries, physicians are required to report to their state or provincal health departments the occurence of certain types of suspected diseases like Salmonella. This allows the CDC and other governmental health departments to track down the source of the salmonella outbreak.

When another Salmonella outbreak happened in 2004 the CDC was able to track the particular type of Salmonella back to several growing fields and tomato preparation companies.

How Do You Catch Salmonella?

People become infected with salmonella by swallowing the bacterium. This can happen from eating contaminated food that has not been cooked thoroughly or has been contaminated after preparation.

Salmonella can also be spread from person to person when an infected individual does not thoroughly wash his or her hands after using the toilet.

Your health care provider, local extension service, provincial or state health department or service can provide more information and answer additional questions and concerns you might have.

All in a gardener's day,