The
only known successful use of biological weapons in the
United States was by the
Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh cult in 1984. The
group contaminated salad bars in 10 restaurants in The
Dalles, Ore., with Salmonella Typhimurium, causing several
hundred people to become ill.
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| Incubation Period: 6-72 hours |
| Natural risk to humans is from food. Only 15%
of cases are reported. Estimates in US are 5 million cases/year. |
| Salmonella presents as an acute enterocolitis
with sudden headache, abdominal pain, diarrhea and fever.
Stools are bloody in 34%. Untreated case can become carrier for
months (1% of adults and 5% of children for up to a year) |
|
Complications include septic arthirtis,
cholecystitis, meningitis, and endocarditis. |
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Refrigerate or freeze perishables immediately.
Refrigerator temperature should be 5° C (41° F), and the freezer
should be -18° C (0° F). Check these periodically with a good
thermometer.
* Poultry and meat can be stored in the refrigerator in its
plastic wrap for a day or two.
* Tightly wrap any foods destined for the freezer.
* Store eggs in the carton in the refrigerator rather than in
the door, where the temperature is warmer.
* Keep seafood in the refrigerator or freezer until preparation
time.
Potatoes don't belong in the refrigerator: store them in a cool,
dry place. |
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Treatment |
| Antibiotics are not
recommended for mild disease. Ciprofloxacin 500mg
po bid for 7 days.
Azithromycin 1gm po
once then 500mg po bid for 6 more days.
Extend treatment to 14 days if
immunocompromised |
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Pediatric |
| TMP/SMX 8mg/kg/d po tid for 14 days |
| Antibiotics may not reduce the
time that bacteria are excreted. Symptomatic cases cannot handle
food, provide care for infants, the elderly or the
immunocompromised until two negative stools are documented a day
apart and 48 hours after the last dose of ABX. |
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Prevention |
"Boil it, cook it,
peel it, or forget it"
* If you drink water, buy it bottled or bring it
to a rolling boil for 1 minute before you drink it. Bottled
carbonated water is safer than uncarbonated water.
* Ask for drinks without ice unless the ice is made from bottled
or boiled water. Avoid popsicles and flavored ices that may have
been made with contaminated water.
* Eat foods that have been thoroughly cooked and that are still
hot and steaming.
* Avoid raw vegetables and fruits that cannot be peeled.
Vegetables like lettuce are easily contaminated and are very
hard to wash well.
* When you eat raw fruit or vegetables that can be peeled, peel
them yourself. (Wash your hands with soap first.) Do not eat the
peelings.
* Avoid foods and beverages from street vendors. It is difficult
for food to be kept clean on the street, and many travelers get
sick from food bought from street vendors.
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