Aug. 31--TIFTON -- Salmonella has been reported in Tifton, but there has not been an outbreak.
A call was made to The Tifton Gazette Monday afternoon in reference to an outbreak of salmonella in the community.
Courtney Sheeley, South Health District public information officer, told The Tifton Gazette Tuesday morning that since July, only 10 cases have been reported due to the heat. She noted that this is not uncommon. She also advised that these cases were the only ones that have been reported to public health.
"They are keeping a watch on it," Sheeley stated.
Sheeley provided the following tips on how to prevent getting salmonella: Make sure that with family reunions, picnics or any other outdoor event, food with mayonnaise, such as potato salad, should not stay out. It needs to be kept cold and hot foods need to be kept hot. Also, make sure to wash your hands. You can get salmonella by handling reptiles or other animals. Be sure to wipe down countertops as well after handling food when cooking.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website, salmonella is a bacteria and a common cause of foodborne illness, sometimes called "food poisoning." It explains that you can get salmonella from eating a wide variety of foods, not just from eggs and undercooked poultry.
The website further states that salmonella illness can sometimes be serious. In most cases, illness lasts four to seven days, and most people recover without antibiotic treatment. In rare cases, it can become serious. Compared with other foodborne germs, salmonella is the deadliest and can cause hospitalization. This illness is more common in the summer and some cases go unreported. Most people who get food poisoning usually do not visit the doctor.
Sheeley advised that a lot ofpeople think that they got salmonella from a restaurant where they may have eaten, but most cases of salmonella actually come from the home.
To contact reporter Latasha Everson, call 382-4321.
___
(c)2011 The Tifton Gazette (Tifton, Ga.)
Visit The Tifton Gazette (Tifton, Ga.) at tiftongazette.com
Distributed by MCT Information Services