Is Salmonella in the Soil?

Of the more than 2,500 types of salmonella bacteria, only about a dozen make people ill. Food poisoning is most commonly linked to salmonella infection. Salmonella bacteria live in the intestines of humans, animals and birds. If feces come in contact with the ground, it can contaminate soil, plants, water and the fish, birds and animals that come in contact with those things.

Salmonellosis

• Salmonellosis is the name given to infection by a salmonella bacteria. Signs occur between several hours to two days after infection. They include nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, diarrhea, fever, chills, headache, muscle pain and blood in the stool.

Prevalence

• The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and Prevention reports that there are about 40,000 cases of salmonellosis diagnosed in the United States each year. Milder cases may not be diagnosed or reported. The actual number may be 30 or more times greater, according to the CDC. Acute salmonellosis kills about 400 people a year in the U.S. and nearly 2 million people worldwide. Children younger than the age of 5 are nearly five times more likely to get salmonellosis than any other group of people The elderly and those with compromised immune systems are also at risk. Salmonellosis is more common in summer than winter.

  Since the early 1990s, strains of salmonella that can resist the drugs used to treat salmonellosis have been reported, according to the World Health Organization. This may become a serious public health problem.

Sources of Salmonella

• Most people infected by salmonella get it by eating poorly cooked contaminated meat, poultry and seafood. Raw eggs, such as are found in homemade mayonnaise or Hollandaise sauce, are another source. Commercial eggs are treated to prevent contamination of the eggshell with salmonella. Some chickens have salmonella in their bodies and pass it to the egg before the shell develops. Fish raised in contaminated water can carry the bacteria. Fruits and vegetables that are watered or washed with contaminated water also can spread salmonella.

  Poor storage, cooking and hygiene in the kitchen spread infection. Washing hands before cooking or eating or after using the toilet, handling a pet or changing a diaper are essential. Thorough cooking of food destroys the bacteria.

Salmonella in the Soil

• Salmonella can be introduced into the soil by contaminated water, animal feces or untreated manure or poultry droppings used as fertilizer. Reptiles (turtles, lizards and snakes) as well as chicks and young birds often harbor salmonella bacteria. People who work in the soil should wear gloves and thoroughly wash their hands after every contact with it.

Warning

• Salmonella usually isn't life threatening, but it can cause serious consequences including dehydration, blood poisoning (bacteremia) and increased risk of developing reactive arthritis.