Salmonella is rarely fatal, but it can cause severe vomiting and diarrhea , as well as other symptoms. Campylobacter jejuni , often simply called Campylobacter, infects much of the poultry sold in the U.S. and causes food poisoning with symptoms similar to staph or Salmonella . But there are also several hundred in the U.S. who die as a result of Campylobacter infection each year. Clostridia bacteria are found in soil and in raw meat. One source of clostridial poisoning is vegetables or fruits that have been in contact with soil, such as carrots or strawberries.
Botulism is among the most serious types of food poisoning.
Immediate medical treatment with antitoxin is essential for anyone suffering botulism poisoning . Recently a dangerous strain of the common bacterium E. coli has contaminated meat, cider, and other foods around the world. Contaminated shellfish People who eat raw shellfish, such as clams or oysters, risk catching hepatitis A if the food was illegally harvested in sewage-contaminated waters. This disease, caused by a virus, attacks the liver and usually causes severe illness, but generally does no permanent damage. It can spread from person to person.