Current Affairs

Issue

Salmonella outbreak has been reported in several parts of US caused by a contaminated batch of onions.

 

Background

Salmonellosis is an infection caused by bacteria known as Salmonella. Infections have been reported in onions imported from Mexico.

 

Details

• Majority of those reported sick have consumed food from the same restaurant. The number of people actually sick could be more than the actual numbers.

• People have been advised to throw away any white, yellow or red onions. In addition the surfaces contaminated by onions should also be washed properly.

 

Sources of infection

• Salmonella infection is usually caused by eating raw or undercooked meat, poultry, eggs or egg products. This prevents the bacteria from being eliminated.

• The salmonella bacteria lives in the intestines of people, animals and birds and most infections are caused due to consumption of foods that have been contaminated by faeces.

• Person-to-person transmission can also occur through the faecal-oral route. Animal to human transmission can also happen when humans come into contact with infected animal.

 

Symptoms

• Acute onset of fever

• Abdominal pain

• Diarrhea

• Nausea

• Vomiting

 

Preventing infection

• Treatment in severe cases involves rehydration and electrolyte replacement. Consumption of antibiotic must be avoided without the doctor’s prescription.

• Food and food products should be washed and boiled before consumption. Hands should be washed before eating food.

 

Concerns

• Symptoms of infection are seen to be relatively mild with most patients said to recover without specific treatment.

• The associated dehydration can become severe and life-threatening in case of children and elderly.