Salmonella enterica
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Prevention



Personal prevention methods

No unique control methods are presently available for S.t.DT 104 in humans. Control measures that are effective against other types of Salmonella may reduce the likelihood of transmission of this strain. Control relies on decreasing exposure through hygienic processing of animal products and proper preparation and storage of cooked food products. Specific measures include thoroughly cooking foods of animal origin, avoiding cross contamination of other foods, avoiding consumption of unpasteurized dairy products, and educating food handlers regarding proper food hygiene. Even in the absence of adequate control methods in animals, instituting appropriate control methods at food preparation will minimize the number of human outbreaks.

Special attention should be paid to the hygienic habits of people being in close contact with sick animals or pets having S.t. DT104 infection, because they not only may get the disease, but also can spread it.


Vaccines

There are no vaccines available, either for animals or humans, against this particular type of Salmonella.


Large-scale prevention methods

The emergence of Salmonella strains that are resistant to commonly used antibiotics is important to clinicians, microbiologists, those responsible for the control of communicable disease and to those in the food industry. Control of multi-drug resistant S.t. DT104 requires reducing infection in food animals and lowering the risk of contamination at all stages in the food production chain. There is little doubt that the persistence of Salmonella typhimurium DT104 in food animals has been enhanced by the use of antibiotics in animal husbandry. In 1994 the World Health Organization Scientific Working Group on Monitoring and Management of Bacterial Resistance to Antimicrobial Agents recommended that the unnecessary use of antibiotics in food animals should be discouraged and that antimicrobial agents should not be used as a substitute for adequate hygiene in animal husbandry. To fight the spread of multi-resistant S.t.Dt104, a reappraisal of the use of antibiotics in food animals is needed. The incidence of animal and human disease related to resistant bacteria could be reduced by avoiding unnecessary use of antibiotics and promoting good hygienic practice in all stages of food animal production and processing.


Surveillance/ Infection Control

The surveillance of natural reservoirs is important in tracing and controlling the spread of infection. These reservoirs include farm animals (cattle, swine, sheep, and poultry), companion animals (dogs and cats), and wildlife. Consumable products originating from farm animals should be tested regularly for the presenc of S.t.Dt104 and especially strains that have developed antibiotic resistance. The early identification of animals that harbor S.t.Dt104 will aid in preventing the further spread of the organism.

With respect to surveillance of S.t.Dt104 in the human population, the CDC is currently operating the "Foodborne Diseases Active Surveillance Network" (FoodNet) in the United States. This large scale surveillance network is responsible for tracing the sources of organisms such as S.t.Dt104, as well as monitoring the spread of these pathogens, and determining individual risk factors.

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