Question

Food Borne Illnesses

Some bacteria, protozoa, and viruses that cause foodborne illness are:

• E.coli, Salmonella
• Staphylococcus
• Clostridium botulinum
• Campylobacter
• Clostridium perfringens
• Hepatitis A.
• Giardia
• Listeriosis

Research all of the foodborne illnesses listed above and report the following information for each.

• Infectious pathway
• Possible sources and foods affected
• Symptoms
• Incubation period
• Treatment
• Statistics, how many affected, where, when etc.

Answer 1

1. Escherichia coli (E.coli)

E.coli is a bacteria. It is commonly found in the lower intestine of warm-blooded organisms.

Possible sources:

• The reservoir of this pathogen appears to be mainly cattle. In addition other ruminants such as sheep, goats, deer are considered significant reservoirs.
• Contaminated water, Raw fruits and vegetables, Raw meat
• Unpasteruized milk, Cutting boards and utensils, Toilet contamination
• Unwashed hands, Pet animals and liver stock faeces.

Food afftected Symptoms:

• Abdominal cramps and diarrhoea that may in some cases progress to bloody diarrhoea (Haemorrhagic colitis).
• Fever and Vomiting may also occur.

Incubation period:

• The incubation period can range from 3 to 8 days. With a median of 3 to 4 days.
• Most patients recover within 10 days.

Treatment:

• Treatment is based on symptomatology.
• Fluid replacement is the primary treatment.
• Antibiotics are generally not used except in severe disease.
• The only effectie method of eliminating from foods is to introduce a bactericidal treatment, such as heating (for example, cooking or pasterization) or irradiation.

The five keys to safer food are(Ref. WHO (World health organization):

• Keep clean, Separate raw and cooked, Cook thoroughly, Keep food at safe temperatures, use safe water and raw materials.

Statistics:

• Estimated 96, 000 illnesses and 3,200 hospitalization and 31 deaths in the U.S each year.
• U.S centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) tracked 391 E.coli O157:H7 outbreaks in the 10 years between 2003 and 2012.

2. SALMONELLA:

• Salmonella infection is a common bacterial disease.
• The genus consists of bacili that parasitise the intestines of a large number of vertebrate species and infect human beings.

Possible sources:

Almost any kind of food or beverage can carry the bacteria that causes salmnella infection, although meat and eggs the most are common sources.

Food afftected Symptoms:

• Vomiting, Nausea, Abdominal cramps, Diarrhea, Fever, Chills, Headache and blood in the stool.

Inducation period:

• The incubation period for salmonellosis is approximately 12-72 hours, but it can be longer. Salmonella gastroenteritis is characterized by the sudden onset of Diarrhea. Illness usually lasts 4-7 days.

Treatment:

• Salmonella bacteria is generally self-limited and usually does not require specific treatment (CDC).

• antibiotics are not recommended for uncomplicated cases and are only used if the infection spreads.

Statistics:

• Salmonellosis is one of the most common food borne infections in the United states, Resulting in an estimated 1.2 million human cases and $365 million in direct medical costs annually(2011 estimates).

3. STAPHYLOCOCCUS:

• Staphylococcus is a group of bacteria that can cause a multitude of diseases.
• Staphylococci are non motile, non spore forming, catalase positive.
• Gram positive cocci arranged in graphe-like clusters.
• Ubiquitous in nature.
• Over 30 different types of staphylococci can infect humans.

            

Possible sources:

• Most commonly caused by eating contaminated foods through contact with food workers who carry the bacteria, unsanitary practices.
• Contaminated milk and cheese, sliced dell meats, puddings, some pastries and prepared sandwiches.

Food afftected Symptoms:

• Staphylococcal disease of the skin usually results in a localized collection of pus, konwn as an abscess, boil or furuncle.
• Staphylococcus infection symptoms may include an area of skin that appears: Red, Swollen and tender or painful.

Inducation period:

• Incubation period usually ranges from about four to 10 days.

Treatment:

• Antibiotics commonly prescribed to treat staphylococcus infections include certain cephalosporins such as cefazolin, oxacillin.

Statistics:

• More than 119,000 people suffered from bloodstream staphylococcus aureus infections in the United states in 2017 and nearly 20,000 died (Centers for disease control and Prevention).