23 (Fitzwilly's) Salmonella - Gary Houle 1989 r
MASSACHUSETTS DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH
DIVISION OF COMMUNICABLE DISEASE CONTROL
305 SOUTH STREET, JAMAICA PLAIN 02130
BACTERIAL/PARASITIC GASTROENTERITIS CASE REPORT FORM
:RSONAL INFORMATION
of ewe: Nn,.le. Gary
ess- tai Dunphy Dnoe - gicrencr ; N/i . 01e(.20
of Birth: -5- ;d a.15/ Age 2ff Sex -M ® 1' 9 Occupation. Piant Pana°er
Telephone*: (4ta) 5a7 - 29y s
Telephone': (413) 586 -
iCian- Dr.T enero,,:,r
:ese hospitalised' 112 N ❑ If yes, name of hospital. (co i c -hie Kin
Date admitted: 9 rJz/_ Date discharged:
3r,n ,n hosg.+aI - 7-conr(rred P
IIOLOGIC AGENT
Leese check all th•,t apply)
pyiobacten' 0 E.eoli ❑ Gierdia
,tosporidium ❑ En'amoeba(emebiasis) 0 'aim, em llaj
❑ Shigella ❑
S.aureus ❑
r (specify) ❑ Yersinia ❑
ies and/or serotye (ifkrown)-T.1 peal cis 5 En+ e r t fd,s
o n `I(aslay
SYMPTOM HISTORY
of onset of symptom— /-2 ' % Duration of symptoms: specify s days
sent received : None ❑ Prescription ']
ft prescription,name of medi•°atioa• " Many a+ I{a,�, 1-a ( "
cc?, +a/
La Met Clinic
9/26/r/
±-iw l per„s+
:IPOSURE HISTORY
only about items consumed/ activities/ exposures within one incubation period prior
iset of symptoms . Use the reference on the back page for incubation periods
tifterent etiologic agents.
act food or drink (sp eiify item,place,date and time where food and/or beverage w[s consumed) :
1 tone b,,.bl e- Sc-sees
�Pl - 4/ e 4 SC n rci c„ia,i at 4, fz u. , Ily'S n ti1cu n '(on - an Set+urcte1 euen,rtr
P5 - 4+ c Chicl n 1;,n,iers a+ eh( nes e K.+cV,e„ o,. K.nq S.•,i'iton on Men
Board of Health in town where suspect meals)was consumed notified ?
ae notified • _i1 /S'/
foreign/out-of-state traryl ?
ls,p1ewe specifiy date(s)and place(^ 1-
outdoor aCtiyitie>^ !e°. .camping) ?
es,please specify dates)and ptace(s).
contact with animals/pets ?
yes, please c•pp•-ify
741n I4 -3oy
YQN ❑
Y ❑N
Y ❑N
ses of drinking;.aver at home:
sec of drinking-c=ater at work/school : -_
ther people share any of these exposures ?
any of them iii with symptoms similar to yours?
it„nprpeeinP nrrn,l„e bit;< fleets her husba■-•$
Tr F rll.. 15 on 5c:t eaen"r.y 9/tin
Y ® N ❑
town y well/spring ❑ bottled ❑
town p n5 well/spring ❑s, bottled ❑ n?
•Y '6M N ❑ people V4/9/s5-2-a 9/ rf
Y ❑ N W "people ill
Inecat., e 1 e.ni-i nci +he"Sco CocA Sctad”
(OMER)
Contacts (household and other close contacts)
Age Occupation Relationship Symptoms Lab test results
m a° J 4t u„ 1eaa4tae C1/41./FT
Lyle �oule 35 `sad er
•
So., ldJ -2+ilk (fin&;nci
Floulc Sr • J1- ratud<n!yt olt,K .n .
dealt s.....< .< s., 5,,, .Y
au r4 N
k go„It Amths S.on
10w-Se .`i;si<.- „ -�4 .4".... Tlesa*' ” y/zs/,9
■(n lKo+K9 3.'14,5 and 41>cl �y
r Care Information Y N
ese enrolled in or employed at a day care center?
es,name and location of center: Y N
uehold •:ontact of case enrolled in/employed at a day care center
es, name and location of center:
y of the staff/children at this center ill with similar symptoms ? Y 0 N 0
Les,how many ? 'staff _ *children —
ayof these staf fichildren been diagnosed as having gastroenteritis? Y 0 N ❑
oodhandler Information y N
:ase a foodhendier ? 7 0 N ❑
ueholdiclose :contact of case afoodhandler? ea( -Kann Kul Ke?Kc -nurse 7 ass l<�r'`-.
name of foodhandler(s) : I(atken he 11F:te -4-6.3s4 M nurse;elp Kh
name of foodhendhng facility:A,.;rte. kk.r4 and Ml e.,", 1,:c^ery's d'%P .^ Sy..
Address:Rot l. �
` � Sr1 - City/State`'n ,er$ 4-, b4 Pi- '
was the tcard cf heelth of that person's place of employment notified ? K. n
was the foodhandler removed from work ?m,s. No-.te+t,c„s:,n 5 e prei.Le zn
foodhandier is back at work,when were the back to work criteria met ? n„s nn„d —/—
f er to State Isolation and Quarantine Regulations, 105 CIl+IR 305.000
17:1“,.me ill
cuts : P/ienf' co Alie G/ -/o h..f.. /./ -Dt.e -{e be Fran/erred -i La A,-c, (ling" <
Pae-Foe, .e 6.,e l-ro •• as s +ed 4M A! -jean Ovo!ir4+e rvc);c.. ec„+`J nurse nI-
Ffe4sr to *b, S refer f- .-re air.t� , ..0 la ti
Ideate- pa#r ent} 4.,ie.
of Investigator (e-+-ta-at"`
i .•- eV, telephone' : (-fr3).6-1_-6956 - en-F.2/G
t o -f{un,f i-nn HA. Date Report Completed •.I_J -if-a/ Y
Average Incubation Period.
Etiologic Agent
Campyiobacter sip.
Cryptosporidium spp.
Entamoebe(amebiasis)
E. toll
Giardia
almonela*PT-
spp.
5 a•:rus
Yers iaspp.-
3-5 days
10 days
2-4 weeks
12-72 hours
7-10 days
L-36 ho
- days
2-4 days
3-7 days
Name
G " IC
∎
'b' jOd " ∎1-
Address 04 �un i e_nce School
0o 1 )/�� : H,D, Date of Onset
Signed is�r' r.mi gyp'
( ) Ciardiasis ( ) Plague
( ) Animals Bs '
( ) Animal Bite (complete below) ( ) ( ) Poliomyelitis
Systemicl In Influenza ( ) Psittacosis
Systemic Infection Viral ( ) Rabies (Human
( ) Anthrax Hepatitis, Viral: Animal)
( ) Brucellosi ( ) Type A ( ) Reye's Syndral)
( ) Campylobais Type B R ye's Synl Disease:
( ) Cholera ctei Enteritis ( ) Non-A rmine ( ) Rickettaialpox
( ) Chicken Pox ( ) Undetermined ( ) Typhus
( ) Cholera ( ) kawaski Disease ( ) Rocky Mountain
( ) Diphtheria ( ) Legionnaires' Disease Spotted Fever
( ) Encephalitis tys ( ) Leprosy ( ) Other(specify type yI known) ( ) Leptospirosis Rubella:( )
( ) Infection Sof Newborn ( ) Listeriosis ( ) Congenital ital
Infection In oxicatn Lyme Disease ( ) Non-congenital
f DOtlb) Be ulioxicaFions: ( ) Malaria (� Sa( ) Nllosis
( ) Mushroom Measles ( j Saimanellis
( ) Poisonous and Anima ( ) Meningitis: ( ) Tetanus
Poisonous and Animal ( ) Bacterial ( ) Toxic Shock Syndrome
Products ( ) Viral ( ) Toxic lShockis
( ) Mineral or Inorganic ( ) Other
Poisons ( ) Mcnin 1 Infection ( ) Trichinosis
( ) Staphylococcal outn Meningitis) ( ) Tuberculosis
(without Meningitis) ( ) Tularemia
( ) paralytic Shellfish ( ) Mumps Yersiniosis
Poisoning ( ) perkussis (Whooping Cough) ( )
Other
ANIMAL BITE
Type of Animal Date of Bite
Location of Bite
N.D.
Bigned
Address
Animal Owner Name
Please return this report to Northampton Board of Health.
•
•
•
•
•
' MA CHUSETT£ _ .. ' OF PUBLIC HEALTH
CENTER FOR DISEASE C:':NIP:OL
Diagnostic Microbiology Laboratory, Harvey George,_ G i f i
^
305 Sout` Street, Jaraie P' _+ . MA 02170 ( 17r 527-3700 Ext. 111 or 11
sion ajElOGS
ived: 09i19/8c
rtcd: 09/1_018'?
COO LEY DICY.INSON HCEPiTAL
FACT LAB
30 LOCUST ST.
NORTHAMPTON, MA. 01060
Nam- HO:.—LE, GARY
nu c_=, 103 DUNPHY DRIVE
NO'RHAMPTON, MA
Ane:
Sou STOOL
The Salmonella reported on 09/20/S9
has been typed as S.ENTERIT:DIS
on 09/23/89.
COMMUNICABLE DISEASE REPORT
gait,/ � Date /' -ca -fl
�#orc/ E l94K✓ DOB: i 9.1 - r/ Sex
/a ? u,vp17J aiver/14.0Yvcln ,K, /1 XO/OLO
ne Number 51/1- .,frS -O/ p'7
is Disease or Animal Bite SAL./47 et %/O r;
Dnset' ! '2S ri
irtinent Information:
Thysician Trh F r 7O4
eporting
MD Phone ?? - C//TD
S/RN Phone 7 ? - y 2SF
Lahey Clinic Medical Center,41 Mall Road, Burlington, MA 01805
MASSACHUSETTS DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH
CENTER FOR DISEASE CONTROL
Diagnostic Microbiology Laboratory, Harvey George, PhD. , Lab Director
5 South Street, Jamaica Plain, MA 02130 (617) 522-3700 Ext. 114 or 115
No. :90L1233
1: 09/2
OF/28/89
]ARD OF EAL.T H
ORIAL HALL
MAIN ST
]RTHAMPTON, MA 01060
Name: HOULE, KATHERINEE
Address: 107 EtN Y DR
NORTHAMcTON, 'A
AciP: 35 Sour_e, STOOL
Salmonella _... NOT found.
MASSACHUSETTS DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH
CENTER FOR DISEASE CONTROL.
^ Y ,
Diagnostic Microbiology Laboratory, Harvey George, PhD. Lab Director
505 South Street, Jamaica Plain, MA 02130 (617, 522-3700 Ext. 114 or 115
on NC. :90.1272
09/75/89
tad: OF/TEI/S9
BOARD OF HEALTH
MEMORIAL HALL
240 MAIN S-
i
NORTHAMPTON, MA 01060
Name:
Address:
KALKOTKA, KAREN
103 DUNPHY DR
NORTHAMPTON, MA
AgE: 32 Source: STOOL
Salmonella sp. NOT ,o_.und.
MASSACHUSETTS DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH
CENTER FOR DISEASE CONTROL
Diagnostic Microbiology Laboratory, Harvey George, PhD. , Lab Director
305 South Street, Jamaica Plain, MA 02130 (617 522-3700 Ext. 114 or 115
ion No. :90L1105
ved: 09/21/99
ted: 09/25/89
CONSTANCE WHALEN PHN
MEMORIAL HALL
240 MAIN ST.
NORTHAMPTON, MA. 01060
Name: KAL KOT Ka, KAREN
Address: 103 DUNPHY DRIVE
NORTHAMPTON, MA
Age: 32 Source: STOOL
Salmonella, Shigella and Y_rsinia spp. NOT found.
IEALTH
Chairman
Y.M.D.
RSONS
NN.Health Agent
CITY OF NORTHAMPTON
MASSACHUSETTS 01060
OFFICE OF THE
BOARD OF HEALTH
CONSENT TO DISCLOSURE OF PRIVILEGED INFORMATION
, give permission
Gary Houle, Sr.
210 MAIN STREET
01060
(413)5866950 Ent.213
Alinr4 (3o4i F /186r-C/
elease to
he Law Offices of S Georee Br
eII.- • •
:ever information the doctor deems pertinent about my medical history, treat-
t and care.
7
Date)
9
s
See_FMa
Illness or Injury
S.
!_iii i / ••A ft
hereby release
Im all legal responsibility or liability that may arise from the act I have
:horized above.
1
nature:
tness:
te:
i
=r9a abs. Pa -r- 4✓ • L.Nortf amptorn°FOr-
t ax 1DW2 mw�7 4 gTabwR+..6:3.A:j.
' �b U�9'°T°�" U sT2ffaiar`d. of Health.
'igFO,O1DttESTABCISHMENT5 11,SP C ONTORt, 9f9.
► CATE 9oa4„/
IDE Pin:
Routine
Folow-up
Chplatnt
t"on
Imeetiga
Other
NT;; Fr�zr,Z/ %/ &a/llvil/f///
a09291re Itlig rhSr,yy'/��W��eenrti' 070°0
tEf dP[Tu v.57 D}J7/09' t1.:9442 2NNT61161
7.110141E.rfiffErrgeMet'd," 4P-1
nn inspection today, the 'tern checked below indicate the violated provisina of 105 CM 590.000. Each tem is followed by column and r tical
Iulderecoluen "t". Descriptions s ofeacht/te appear rn the violations
thisrform.tEachtiviolatin chetdced wares aanpempine-
het narrative area below: This report serves s as official notice of violated provisions and official noti a to correct said
a. failure ten comply with-any time-limits for correction asy result in suspension or revocation of the cod Establishment st
tl cessation of food Establishment operations. The permit holder is hereby notified of his right to he ring
Heal N h' n must be requested. in itino. within 10 days or this J
notice. - •
'TYPE OF ESTABLISHMENT:.
Food Service-
Retail Food
Residential Kitchen
dbbile.Ibatt.
Temporary Food Service
en. N t ,. 3 Facilitie mnea sria4 N C
•m
N C °'�we�,
Oo2 r
//naiad-tits
4 a�e,Ceilings 1■
p1N Ogz 20. Vo rep a Cntact Surfaces Clean - .
t - - 21 '-R'pin9 Clotho Facilities -013 40. Ventilation .020■
r9 '22.+ 0 R areed,sOak _ -011 45_ Dressing Rooms .025 II
ies,tt_�<seatOraOe ._ •23_ Pre-Serayed,atet_., 'd • s 1011
avice a 091d.5torage.,,� ."a •24. Wash/Rinse.Rater_. .013 Other
25. -Theimaneten/]rat Kits .013 06.Teaks
/Damaged Footle -e .003 ..26.- Eguiaent/Utnail Storage .013 46. Premises
etectet .••..ca: 3;d1,, ,.004 .T 28. Single ingle Service Articles
lernnsnsei . .004 28. Service Re-Use .OU 4q_ Linen Areas Living
h.• weans'Ci d &ral .005 50.. Pets
ha ed caked &coaled .005 Sanitary facilities .035 sl_ Rink.Goode
edL+^74-ypr aian 7,0055 29ti1W[ec`M'rc .016 5Z_. Salad Ran
iO4 Utensils.• bdtaf a SILfiel•s 3LIRSCeo Q_ebnecttroni .Ol]
7TOLeR ' P.D4 L$ 01 8178,18 32iNTEof ets1I itlwehing .018 a .019
e e Hygiene. :.009 _. .
boa/°a
• isnP Liam rOGL90eat 008 35a)Insects/ROdnteLOntp66 nza;l.
e Cr Thy 5 YS el. . .6,010 35 Stcalet R om .017
4144 L n2P'G a a0L9bwR 3O 76 Hand+ashitg Areas .019
.Om
Ut via )r Tutbp /Refuse - 020
us;Clean)tr„SnrtiaeE.0 8 .w eDi?P?TaloOU24t reFec' .Ra
ahLxYSOrfacms nRla Peaffride/ROtlnticitle Applicati T .021
o � ,;LG. 01 en cTSaL2a.2
NRf▪-TmM -One3•.:- iai s:62 "470,
th -scat -belmmdestrlbe lrvloTattws: hmYed b JCO-
` e<2 rrr4N' Ott eAim In]F:lc Rr_ec /MAG!1UATLe': , -
-,.DlxroP.y VVEfle OF:Nr'CW?` 9rt'PH'Fs t'fw
.. LIN-BE fEFNIRCG -
Q'.✓//ITi/LVita Pr/v.V ede% $RR.s/ MAR 15 1Fn1). ///cA'
}.e Mr+ARKVNTEheflktafiE iaaael"'OPOSa tVKE/F NKr
SThoRyl.- OMAb6RkLN9k NsYibllri* ••.•- ..
.027
.02]
.027
.03
10.-of Critical Items Violated
segite.e rep r!imsediatetatintin
.ti hen:sN
'OO.
primaef fad:.'E
l Nl r.�-,r�ecro��owtetet _ � /
Q.sc arby,MDE,t J 7NOb1il
I-!m
n
LO Simi maw/Fi'
115 r
?7F
4/r
431=
(A1ilsni y are T nt'N
Ft
0
64)'Altile7NpncS :peiq.17ar rum'/6AFtR�'c
j �Ql
/li3 b>a . r Ji
2tr ” 2 10°Q.4. 1H6 "'SW, • L
THt`}+'�2rLrW,CId'L%6Htf R'3nkniaTa/✓C.91'F.`raAt
NNYIfe. ok
Ossossr
rex
Ofte
W*tk-/w /Mean- keen) 443?
ado-/a.wrafe^e Strati ARr19 A'b' FMesnMF
Ct)Kffc#ety N*'A' [2DOa.ER 'darn-
(act Oowas'*n Oiiele-IL'costar 44/&3 -- 1K
...
-cc; medics` ell-L;R" •ier:Wei
AGM
aeRk-ewFRr-r/-4 °c
HfrP knfhfrA2 PRn4N-- 38
fh¢rc etch/tM btoFieen-C 39?
Law Offices
S. George Bromberg, P.C.
E CENTER • SUITE 220 • CAMBRIDGE, MASS. 02140 • TEL. 617-354-8200
S. George Bromberg
Bartholomew V. Earle
Richard S. McLaughlin
November 6, 1989
Board of Health
City of Northampton
City Hall
210 Main Street
Northampton, MA 01060
RE: Food Poisoning
Date of Accident: 9/9/89
Victim: Gary Houle, Sr.
103 Dunphy Drive, Northampton, MA 01060
Place of Occurrence: Fitzwilly's
23 Main Street, Northampton, MA
Dear Sirs:
Please be advised that this office has been consulted and
retained by Gary Houle Sr. , of 103 Dunphy Drive,
Northampton, Massachusetts, in connection with his claim for
personal injuries sustained as a result of food poisoning
which is alleged to of occurred at Fitzwilly's Restaurant,
23 Main Street, Northampton, Massachusetts, on or about
September 9, 1989.
It is my understanding that your office conducted a
investigation of this incident and three other cases which
occurred at the same place and approximately the same time.
Please forward to my office copies of the results of your
investigation in to Mr. Houle's food poisoning and the three
other similar incident's.
If there is a fee for copies of these materials, please
advise me and I will pay it.
If you have any questions, or if there is any difficulty
with your complying to this request, please advise me
immediately.
Enclosed please find a stamped, self-addressed envelope
which you may use in replying to this letter.
Very truly yours,
Law Offices of
S. GEORGE BROMBERG, P.C.
By: 5. 5,e-
S. George Bromb rg, Esquire
BVE/kab
EALTH
Chotrmav
'.M.D.
'SONS
UN.Health Ayml
• Bromberg, P.C.
• Center
0
• MA 02140
CITY OF NORTHAMPTON
MASSACHUSETTS 01060
OFFICE OF THE
BOARD OF HEALTH
November 9 , 1989
210 MAIN STREET
01060
1413)586-6950 Ext.213
) - .
RE: Investigation Report
form for Gary Houle, Sr.
Bromberg:
regard to your letter dated, November 6, 1989 please be
that the follow-up investigation in regard to Gary Houle' s
la infection, cannot be forwarded to you without his signature
nclosed release consent form.
ice received, follow up report will be forwarded to you.
7ause of confidentiality of patient' s records, the Board
.h cannot release records of other patient' s investigations
their written consent.
vever, we will summarize our findings about the other investigation
itzwilly' s was mentioned.
Wednesday, September 6 , 1989 , two college students ate
ferent
silly' s at approximately 9 p.m. . Each
achi orderededifferento
rom the menu. One student, never
(as chicken wings are called on the menu) sampled some from
er student' s plate. The next day, Thursday, September 7,
bout mid-morning, both became ill. Suspicion of
it the
easource
ction seemed to be the "Buffalo Wings" , because
item both girls ate. follow-up
investigation
ate one and
od idered one or two cases,
to food, at the same time from one plate.
here were no other cases of Salmonella reported where Fitzwilly' s
solved.
you have any further questions in this regard, please do
_tate to call us at 413-586-6950 extension 213 .
fly yours ,
s'17
ce Whalen
Health Nurse
SALTS
:ha4maa
MD.
SONS
UN.Health Agent
CITY OF NORTHAMPTON
MASSACHUSETTS 01060
OFFICE OF TIE
BOARD OF HEALTH
. S . George Brombery
ewife Center, Suite 220
ridge, MA 02140
Atty. Bromberg:
osed please
nary Houle, S
ou have any
act me.
November 17 , 1989
find case reports
r.
further questions
210 MAIN STREET
01060
(413)586-6950 Ext.213
on the alleged food poisoning
concerning this matter please
Very truly yours,
Peter J. McErlain
Health Agent
TpipV
Law Offices
S. George Bromberg, P.C.
1 CENTER • SUITE 220 • CAMBRIDGE, MASS. 02140 • TEL 617-354-8200
S. George Bromberg
Bartholomew V. Earle
Richard S. McLaughlin
ovember 21, 1989
ff ice of the Board of Health
10 Main Street
orthampton, MA 01060
e: Gary Houle, Sr. vs. Fitzwilly's Restaurant
ear Sir or Madam:
nclosed please find a Consent to Disclosure of Privileged
nformation relating to the above-entitled matter. Please send
11 findings from your investigation of the alleged food
poisoning of Gary Houle, Sr. to my office at the above Cambridge
Lddress.
'hank you for your cooperation in this matter.
Tery truly yours,
;aw Offices of
;. GEORGE BROMBERG, P.C.
3y:
S. George B omberg, Esquire
Enclosure
/cbw
What Are the Symptoms_s f Salmonellosis?
'1
Symptoms of salmonellosis can appear from 6 to 72 hours after swallowing the bacteria,but usua
obvious within 24 hours. The most common symptoms are abdominal pain,diarrhea,nausea,von
fever, headache, and weakness.
Do All Infected People Get Sick?
No. Some people who are infected with salmonella may only have minor symptoms and some p
may not have any symptoms. However, these people may excrete the organism in their stor
become a source of infection for others.
How Can Salmonellosis Be Prevented?
Salmonellosis can be prevented by practicing good hygiene before eating and when preparing fo
addition, it is important to cook food items thoroughly. Follow extra precautions when using ar
derived food products such as eggs, poultry, meats, and dairy products.
Some general guidelines are:
1. Always thoroughly wash your hands with soap and water before meals, before pre;
foods, after using the bathroom, after changing diapers, and after playing with your ;
2. When using animal-derived food products, make sure all food is thoroughly co
especially poultry and eggs.
3. Do not eat raw or cracked eggs, unpasteurized milk,cheese made with unpasteurized n
any other unpasteurized dairy product
4. Avoid contaminating any food which will not be cooked,such as raw vegetables,with ai
derived food products. For example, wash your hands and all utensils and surfaces
have been in contact with raw.poultry before you make a salad.
5. If you are taking care of a person with salmonellosis or diarrhea, use special precaution:
contact with the person's stool(for example, after changing diapers). Promptly and cai
dispose of any material which has been contaminated with stool and always wash your
after such contact.
6. Seek medical help from your physician whenever you experience prolonged diarrhea
Are There Any Health Regulations for People with Salmonellosis?
Yes. In order to protect the public,all employees of food-related business(restaurants,food pros
plants, etc.) who have salmonellosis are required by law to be absent from work until they ha■
consecutive negative stools taken at least 48 hours apart This law also applies to foodhandlers w
household contacts of a person with salmonellosis.
Where Can I Get Further Information?
Massachusetts Department of Public Health
Division of Communicable Disease Control (617) 727-2686
Office of Public Information and Health Education (617) 727-0049
Your Local Board of Health
In the phone book under local government. Jun(
JBLIC HEALTH
LCT SHEET
Salmonella
eats Department of Public Health, 150 Tremont Street. Boston, MA 02111,(617)727-0049. Dr. Bailin Walker Jr.. Commissioner
Is Salmonella?
nella is a bacterium which causes an infection, called salmonellosis, of the gastrointestinal
(the stomach and intestines) in humans and animals. It is one of the major causes of
intestinal infections in the U.S.today. Although the disease is usually limited to the gastrointestinal
n and most infected people do not experience any serious medical complications,the salmonella
sm can spread to other systems of the body such as the blood and bone. This may cause serious
ications in very young,very old,or debilitated individuals. About two thousand different strains of
nella have been identified.
Is Salmonellosis Spread?
nonella infection is usually acquired by eating food which has been contaminated by the
lum and has not been properly prepared or cooked. The infection may also be spread person-to-
n when hands, inadvertently contaminated with an infected person's stool, are brought into
)t with the mouth. Person-to-person transmission occurs commonly in day-care centers and
institutions where personal hygiene may be poor due to age (infancy, elderly) or disability.
Inellosis can also be transferred in this manner among household members.
t Types of Food Are MostCommonly Associated with Salmonellosis?
nella organisms are commonly found in raw animal-derived food products such as eggs, egg
cts, meat, meat products, poultry, unpasteurized milk, and other unpasteurized dairy products.
ver, thorough cooking and processing will kill the bacterium. Salmonella can be present in any
if food if it is contaminated at any stage between processing,cooking,and eating. For example,a
andler may contiminate any food item if his/her hands are not washed thoroughly before
ring food.
t Are the Non-Food Sources of Salmonella?
)nella organisms have been found in the stools of both sick and apparently healthy people and
lls. Most domestic animals including poultry,cattle,swine,dogs,cats,pet turtles and chicks have
found to carry the organism. Salmonella has also been found in a variety of wild animals.
fore, thorough hand-washing after contact with animals is recommended to prevent the
nission of salmonella.
Is Salmonellosis Diagnosed?
)nellosis is usually diagnosed through a laboratory examination of a stool specimen. Your
cian- will forward the specimen to a laboratory which will grow and identify the salmonella
rium if it is present. The laboratory work usually takes several days to complete.
Is Salmonellosis Treated?
'era!, most people who are otherwise healthy recover on their own and do not require treatment.
iotics are only given to those people(such as infants,the elderly,and the debilitated)who are not
to fight off the infection by themselves. This is because antibiotics may prolong the time that
)nella can be found in the stool. You should always consult your physician before you take any
ration.