Salmonellosis
Salmonellosis is a zoonotic disease which means that it can be transmitted between animals and humans. The disease is caused by a group of bacteria called Salmonella of which their are many species that can affect humans. The disease produced usually varies with the serotype of Salmonella involved. The agent is very common in the environment. It is found in water or feed contaminated by infected animals. Salmonella are readily destroyed by most disinfectants.
Salmonellosis in Animals
Salmonella spp. can infect both warm-blooded and cold-blooded animals. The most common disease caused by Salmonella spp. in animals is diarrhea. Some serotypes produce septicemia (blood poisoning) or abortions in animals. Some animals may be infected and shed the agent in their feces or milk but show no signs of disease. Other animals may get sick then recover but continue to shed the agent even though signs of disease have resolved. The agent may be very difficult to identify due to intermittent shedding. Stress associated with shipment or illness and environmental or nutritional stress may result in shedding the agent or full blown disease. Salmonella may be present in unpasteurized milk, feces, blood or body tissues.
Cleaning and sanitation of animal facilities and equipment decreases the number of bacteria in the animal's environment. Isolation of new animals provides an opportunity to evaluate the animal for presence of this agent and allows an adjustment period for the stress of a new feed, new housing and new neighbors.
Salmonellosis in Humans
Usually human cases are related to contaminated food, especially poultry, eggs, milk and their products. Persons who work with animals may become infected by the agent shed in animal feces. Human salmonellosis may occur 6-72 hours after ingestion of the agent. Fever, muscle aches, headache and malaise are followed by abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. The diarrhea may resolve in 2-4 days but some people may continue to shed the bacteria with no signs of disease. Some types of Salmonella can cause septicemia which can result in a disease of longer duration and greater severity.
Safe Work Practices
1. Use Good Personal Hygiene
- Wash your hands after animal contact and before you leave the laboratory or animal facility. Wash your hands after using the bathroom.
- Do not eat, drink, use tobacco products, take or apply medicine, store human food, handle contact lenses or apply cosmetics in animal facilities and laboratories. Wash your hands before engaging in these activities. Mouth pipetting is prohibited.
- Do not drink unpasteurized (raw) milk. Practice safe food preparation and handling particularly with respect to poultry and egg products.
2. Wear Personal Protective Equipment
- Wear protective clothing in the animal facility and laboratory. In addition to lab coats or coveralls, some facilities may require additional protective clothing such as shoe coverings or gloves.
- Do not wear soiled protective clothing outside of the laboratory or animal facility. Do not launder soiled protective clothing at home. All soiled nondisposable clothing must be Institutionally laundered.
- Wear gloves when handling infected animals or contaminated surfaces or equipment. Avoid direct contact with birthing products or feces. Wear gloves or use an implement to remove placenta from animal housing and when handling animal feces.
3. Animal Care
- Isolate sick or infected animals.
- Handle and care for sick or infected animals last.
4. Cleaning and Disinfection
- Disinfect laboratory work surfaces daily and after any spills with a disinfectant approved by the facility supervisor.
- Clean animal areas and equipment with a disinfectant approved by the facility supervisor.
- Maintain clean and dry animal areas. Use additional bedding or more frequent bedding changes. Follow husbandry practices that minimize exposure of animals and humans to this agent.
5. Avoid Exposure to Sharps
- Follow Sharps Precautions when handling sharps (surgical needles, hypodermic needles, hypodermic syringes, scalpel blades, Pasteur pippettes, glassware).
6. Waste Management
- Dispose of laboratory waste, contaminated bedding, animals, their products and items contaminated by their products as approved by the supervisor.
- Dispose of sharps in a Biohazards Sharps Container.
7. Follow Safety Precautions
- Follow these and posted Safe Work Practices.
- Follow requirements for entry into and exit from posted areas.
8. Participate in the Occupational Health and Safety Program.
- Provide an annual medical health history to the Health Center.
- Report accidents, illnesses and zoonotic diseases on the Accident Report Form.
9. Notify the Supervisor
- Notify your supervisor if an animal has an abnormal birth so causes of abortion may be investigated.
- Notify your supervisor if an animal has diarrhea or if you have diarrhea that persists for more than 2 days.
10. Seek Medical Attention
- Visit the Gannett Health Center Occupational Health Professionals (607) 255-5156 for evaluation and possible treatment if you are sick or have persistent diarrhea. Let them know you are an animal worker exposed to the hazard Salmonella spp.
Safe work practices reduce the risk of hazards to you, your coworkers and the animals you care for.
If you have any questions, contact Dr. J.M. Peralta at (607) 253-3351 or jmp13@cornell.edu