It is one of the more common causes of gastroenteritis with several thousand cases occurring in New York State each year. Most cases occur in the summer months and are seen as single cases, clusters or outbreaks. Any person can get salmonellosis, but it is recognized more often in infants and children. Salmonella are spread by eating or drinking contaminated food or water or by contact with infected people or animals. People exposed to the salmonella may experience mild or severe diarrhea, fever and occasionally vomiting.
Bloodstream infections can be quite serious, particularly in the very young or elderly.
The symptoms generally appear one to three days after exposure. Salmonella are widely distributed in our food chain and environment. The organisms often contaminate raw meats, eggs, unpasteurized milk and cheese products. Other sources of exposure may include contact with infected pet turtles, pet chicks, dogs and cats. The carrier stage varies from several days to many months.