Salmonella Salmonella is a bacterium which is one of the commonest causes of food poisoning worldwide. There are over 2,000 different types of salmonella, but with the exception of the few which cause typhoid or paratyphoid fever, the illness they cause is similar.
Salmonella are widespread in cows, poultry, pigs, pets and wild animals.
Salmonella food poisoning The commonest salmonella infection is due to the presence of the bacteria in food. After contaminated food has been eaten the bacteria multiply in the intestines and within 12-36 hours usually cause diarrhoea, stomach cramps and sometimes vomiting and fever. The symptoms continue for several days and then, in most people, they cease. Salmonella infection may rarely result in a very severe illness or even death, particularly in the elderly, the very young, or someone who is already suffering from another disease. Even when all the symptoms have disappeared the bacteria may remain in the gut and thus in the faeces.