Salmonellosis is a serious infectious disease that affects the digestive system, which is found in humans, birds and animals.
Salmonella - the causative agents of this disease, are very resistant to environmental influences. They can be stored for a long time in water, land and in all types of food. Getting on food, salmonella do not change their taste and color, and in some (for example, milk and meat) they even multiply.
Salmonellosis is one of the most common diseases. An infection usually enters the body with food or through household items previously used by the sick person. The incubation period is from several hours to 2-3 days. An infected person begins to feel abdominal pain, body temperature rises, vomiting and diarrhea appear.
The consequences of salmonellosis may include: dysbiosis, impaired normal kidney function, skin rashes, heart failure. Penetration of the infection into the internal organs is very dangerous, since it can cause purulent diseases.
Salmonellosis is easier to prevent than to cure. In severe neglected forms, a fatal outcome is possible.
Unfortunately, there is no vaccine for this disease. Prevention of salmonellosis consists in observing the basic rules of personal hygiene and thorough processing of products during cooking.
It is worth noting that in animals the disease goes away without symptoms, therefore, after contact with domestic cats and dogs, hands should be thoroughly washed.
It is always easier for a small child to become infected, his body is weaker. Do not allow him to touch the animals on the street and even more so to feed the pigeons from his hands, they are often sick with salmonellosis.
Prevention of infections during cooking is as follows:
- all products must be washed thoroughly;
- meat of animals and birds should be well cooked;
- fresh products should be isolated from ready-made dishes, you should avoid any contact between them;
- milk should always be boiled, and the eggs should be washed before use, and then boiled or fried for a long time;
- it is better to buy products of animal origin in places where veterinary verification is carried out;
- always check the expiration date ;
- each type of product should have its own cutting board and knife.
The prevention of salmonellosis deserves special attention during outdoor recreation. Water in lakes, rivers and ponds is often contaminated. It is strictly forbidden to use it for washing dishes. You can catch the infection while bathing, if water gets into your mouth, so you should be very careful.
Prevention of salmonellosis is the responsibility of the medical and veterinary services. It is regulated in the sanitary-epidemiological rules.
Veterinary services monitor the activities of poultry farms, meat processing plants, enterprises engaged in dairy products. They monitor the processes of manufacturing, storage, further transportation and sale of food products to the population.
Prevention of salmonellosis by medical services is to monitor children’s educational institutions. It includes the following activities:
- verification of compliance with established sanitary requirements for the maintenance of the premises, as well as for the processing of equipment and all utensils;
- control over the storage and transportation of products with a short shelf life;
- verification of compliance with the cooking process, especially some dishes;
- Compliance with the DOU employees who work in the food block, the rules for processing products, as well as personal hygiene.