Salmonellosis is an acute zoonotic infectious disease caused by pathogenic microorganisms - salmonella. Salmonella have the ability not only to persist in the external environment, but also to multiply in food products, in particular in meat and dairy products.
Infection occurs mainly through food and contact-household. Human infection mainly occurs through food products - eggs, fish, meat of birds, animals, as well as ready-made products that are not subject to heat treatment - salads, fruits, confectionery, beer.
According to the Center for Public Health of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine, the source of the pathogen is animals (cattle, pigs, sheep, horses, domestic waterfowl, chickens, reptiles, cats, dogs, domestic rodents), people with salmonellosis or healthy carriers of the bacteria. The incubation period ranges from 6 hours to 2-3 days. The disease can be mild. However, in some cases, the dehydration associated with the disease can be life-threatening.
To avoid salmonellosis, you must follow the following rules:
- follow the rules of personal hygiene, wash your hands thoroughly with soap, especially after returning from the street, before preparing and eating food, and after using the toilet;
- do not buy food products and food raw materials (eggs, meat, dairy products) at random markets. They may appear to be of good quality, but during the reproduction of salmonella, the taste, color, and smell of the products do not change;
- do not eat undercooked or overcooked meat or drink raw eggs (they must be boiled for 10 minutes);
- Perishable products should only be stored in the refrigerator;
- Waterfowl eggs (duck, goose, etc.) should only be used for making dough, as well as in dishes that are subject to sufficient heat treatment;
- drink only boiled milk.
If any clinical manifestations of the disease appear, seek medical attention from a doctor immediately.
Main Department of the State Service for Food and Consumer Protection in Kharkiv Region