Foodborne Illness Short Answer Questions

FOODBORNE ILLNESS SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONS

SALMONELLA

What is the infectious agent (pathogen) that causes this infectious disease? For example, the name of the bacteria, virus, or parasite.

Salmonella is a bacterium that takes place primarily in the intestine, particularly a serotype, a serologically discernible strain of microorganism, causing food poisoning. Salmonella Enteritidis and Salmonella Typhimurium are the two prevalent serotypes in the United States of America, responsible for fifty percent of all human contaminations. Salmonella, a prevalent and fatal bacterium pathogen, uses the achromatic, inodorous, extremely combustible gas, hydrogen, to cultivate and become poisonous. Intestinal pathogens, such as, Salmonella are responsible for an approximated two million deaths per year, and generate a large number of diarrheal infections or disorders. Salmonella contagion is zoonotic and can be transmitted from human beings to animals. A multitude of infections are a result of consumption of infected foods. This bacterium has been notoriously noted for generating infections for over one hundred years.

How is this infectious agent transmitted through food or water?

Salmonella is transferred through feces, as well as, through oral ingestion. The Salmonella bacterium is casted in the contaminated fecal matter or stool of humans and animals. One receives Salmonella by the consuming food or drinking beverages that are already infected with excrement from contaminated humans and animals. One is also able to catch it through the contamination of the hands by clearing animal excrement or ordure or through managing uncooked poultry and foods and proceeding to eat with hands or placing hands in the mouth. The bacterium can be easily propagated between various family members and babies. When food has been infected, the bacterium is able to dwell on it. Reproduction will occur, enhancing chances of sickness, if any infected food item is not refrigerated.

What is an example of a real life outbreak of this foodborne illness in the United States?

Fidel Gomez, an unlicensed food processor originally nicknamed "Mr. Cheese" by officials, was linked to a three year health investigation into a Salmonella outbreak, by Salt Lake City health officials. The homemade "Queso Fresco" made from raw milk, is connected to seventy-three infections dating back to 2009, and twenty-two infections dating back to 2010. As of Thursday November 3, 2011, forty cases have been corroborated for the year. Authorities presume more than two thousand people were infected. Some were contaminated as a result of consuming the cheese, while others were infected through direct contact with individuals carrying the infectious agent.

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