Prevention and Control of Communicable Diseases
Salmonellosis
Reportable to local or state health department
Consult the health department before posting/distributing Parent/Guardian fact sheet.
Outbreaks of Salmonella infections are unusual in child care and school settings, but can occur, especially in settings where children are in diapers or have contact with reptiles.
Cause
Salmonella bacteria.
Symptoms
Diarrhea, cramps, nausea, headache, fever, and sometimes vomiting. Infected persons may show mild symptoms or may not have any symptoms at all. Illness usually lasts 4 to 7 days.
Spread
Salmonella bacteria leave the body through the feces of an infected person and enter another person when hands, food, or objects (such as toys) contaminated with feces are placed in the mouth. Spread can occur when people do not wash their hands after using the toilet or changing diapers. Spread can also occur through contact with reptiles, farm animals, and infected pets (usually puppies, kittens, or chicks).
Most outbreaks of salmonellosis are associated with eating undercooked or raw food items that are contaminated with feces, such as eggs, poultry, meat, fruits, and vegetables.
Incubation
It takes 6 to 72 hours, usually 12 to 36 hours, from the time a person is exposed until symptoms start. It can be as long as 8 days before symptoms develop.
Contagious Period
As long as Salmonella is present in the feces, a person may pass the bacteria on to other people. Salmonella can be present in feces for several weeks after symptoms have stopped.
Exclusion
Child Care and School: Until the child has been free of diarrhea for at least 24 hours.
Symptomatic staff with Salmonella should be restricted from working in food service until free of diarrhea for at least 24 hours.
*If a case of Salmonella typhi or paratyphi is identified in a child care center or school, please consult with your local or state health department. Each situation must be looked at individually to determine appropriate control measures to implement.
Diagnosis
Recommend parents/guardians call their healthcare provider if their child has symptoms of salmonellosis. There is a lab test to detect Salmonella in the feces.
Treatment
Antibiotic treatment is not usually given. Vomiting and diarrhea may lead to dehydration, which may be a medical emergency. Ask a healthcare provider how to prevent dehydration.
Prevention/Control
- Regular and thorough handwashing is the best way to prevent the spread of communicable diseases. Wash hands thoroughly with soap and warm running water after using the toilet or changing diapers and before preparing or eating food. Staff should closely monitor or assist all children, as appropriate, with handwashing after children have used the bathroom or been diapered.
- Animals can carry Salmonella. Chicks, ducklings, reptiles (e.g., pet turtles, iguanas, snakes), and amphibians commonly carry Salmonella and are not recommended for child care/school settings. Wash your hands after touching animals.
- Clean and sanitize diapering area and potty chairs after each use and bathroom toilets, sinks, and toys at least daily and when soiled.
- Clean and sanitize mouthed objects and surfaces at least daily and when soiled.
- Food Safety
- Thoroughly cook all foods that come from animals, especially poultry.
- Store all uncooked meat and poultry in the refrigerator on a shelf lower than any other foods and keep separate from produce, cooked foods, and ready-to-eat foods.
- DO NOT serve unpasteurized milk or juices.
- Use pasteurized eggs and milk in food that will not be cooked.
- Wash and sanitize all cutting boards, knives, utensils, or dishes that have been used for raw meat or poultry before using with uncooked foods, such as fruits or vegetables, or cooked foods.
- Use a thermometer to make sure correct temperatures are reached when cooking foods. Check with the local environmental health agency for appropriate temperatures.
- Restrict students from sharing any communal food items that are brought from home. In the classroom, children should not serve themselves food items that are not individually wrapped. The teacher should hand out these items after washing his/her hands. (This is not intended to discourage family-style serving in the absence of an outbreak.)
For more information, call the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (MDHSS) Bureau of Communicable Disease Control and Prevention at 573-751-6113 or 800-392-0272 (24/7), or call your local health department.
Salmonellosis Parent Fact Sheet
Your child may have been exposed to:
Salmonellosis
Salmonellosis is a bacterial infection of the intestines.
If you think your child has Salmonellosis:
- Tell your child care provider or call the school.
- Need to stay home?
- Child Care and School:
Yes, until free of diarrhea for at least 24 hours.
- Child Care and School:
Symptoms
Your child may have diarrhea, cramps, headache, vomiting, or fever. Illness may last up to 7 days.
If your child is infected, it generally takes 6 to 72 hours for symptoms to start.
Spread
- By eating or drinking contaminated food or beverages.
- By touching contaminated hands, surfaces, or objects.
- By handling chicks, ducklings, reptiles, and amphibians.
Contagious Period
The illness can spread as long as Salmonella bacteria are in the feces. This could be for several weeks.
Call your Healthcare Provider
- If anyone in your home has symptoms. There is a medical test to detect the bacteria.
- Ask how to prevent dehydration. Your child may become dehydrated due to vomiting or diarrhea.
Prevention
- Wash hands after using the toilet or changing diapers, especially before preparing food or eating. Your child may need help with handwashing.
- Clean and sanitize any objects that come in contact with feces. This includes toilets (potty chairs), sinks, toys, and diaper changing areas. Use a product that kills bacteria.
- Animals can carry Salmonella. Chicks, ducklings, reptiles (e.g., pet turtles, iguanas, snakes), and amphibians commonly carry Salmonella. Wash your hands after touching animals.
- Cook foods thoroughly and do not drink unpasteurized milk or juice.
- Always sanitize food preparation surfaces.
For more information, call the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (MDHSS) Bureau of Communicable Disease Control and Prevention at 573-751-6113 or 800-392-0272 (24/7), or call your local health department.