Question

Describe in three sentences how Trinidad & Tobago solved the mystery of its salmonella outbreaks. explain methodology used

Answer 1

Salmonella outbreaks in Trinidad and Tobago

Salmonella outbreak refers to the sudden appearance of Salmonella infections in a locality, state or country. Salmonella is any of several rod shaped bacteria of the genus Salmonella that cause food poisoning and other diseases. Trinidad and Tobago witnessed Salmonella outbreaks in a largescale from the year of 1980. It was become a major health problems. Each year many cases were reporting on Salmonella infections, especially children, who is diagnosing with Gastro enteritis with the Salmonella Gastro enteritidis.

Solving the mystery of Trinidad and Tobago:

Trinidad and Tobago , a country in the Caribbean, solved the mystery of its Salmonella outbreaks through the:

* Implementation of proper Surveillance system

* Providing Treatment and health education for patients.

* Prevention by laying down the food standards and public health education.

Methodology used:

* Trinidad and Tobago implemented a Surveillance system for Salmonella outbreaks. It consists of Proper and immediate report by Health Care provider, as soon as he is diagnosing a patient with Salmonella infection, to the local health Authority. From local Health Authority the report should submit to Ministry of Health after a thorough review for completeness. After sorting different Reports on Salmonella, MOH mails to Caribbean Epidemiology Center ( CAREC). CAREC analyses weekly, monthly and annually reports from MOH and takes necessary steps and also send the reports to WHO and Pan American health organisation ( PAHO).

* Treatment and health education of patients:

Physician/ health care provider  should take a complete history of the patient, especially regarding the food consumptions recently and should fill a " Communicable disease Report card" . He has to provide the effective treatment and should prevent the complications in patient . Health education should provide to patient, especially on the importance of Proper hand washing to prevent the spread of infection to others.

* For Prevention of outbreaks of Salmonella, public should be educated on the importance of food hygiene and the health of food handlers. Studies showed that many incidence of Salmonella outbreaks are occured from raw or undercooked meat, egg shells and   unrefrigerated eggs. Public health education and periodic inspection of Restaurants , food courts and hotels for hygiene and safe food supply aso helped to solve the mystery of Salmonellosis in Trinidad and Tobago.