Foodborne Diseases

ADPH’s mission is to protect the residents of Alabama and prevent illness by monitoring and investigating foodborne diseases. To accomplish these tasks, ADPH interviews cases of select diseases to identify commonalities, monitor trends over time, and target education initiatives for cases and health professionals. With timely and complete reporting of these foodborne diseases, ADPH is able to implement control measures to reduce illnesses, hospitalizations, and deaths.

Report Foodborne Illness	Recalls & Multistate Outbreaks	Programs & Activities

Salmonella Spotlight

Salmonella are bacteria and a common cause of foodborne illness (sometimes called food poisoning). Infections caused by Salmonella result in more hospitalizations and deaths than any other foodborne illness in the United States. In recent years, large outbreaks of illness caused by Salmonella-contaminated eggs and poultry products have made headlines. Older adults, infants, and people with weakened immune systems are more likely to have a serious illness.

Key Facts

• CDC estimates 1 million people in the United States get sick from eating food contaminated with Salmonella.
• Illness usually lasts 4-7 days and most people recover without treatment.
• In rare cases, people may become seriously ill with Salmonella.
• About 400 people die each year from Salmonellainfection.
• Children are the most likely to get food poisoning from Salmonella.
• Salmonella causes $365 million in direct medical costs annually.

Learn more about Salmonella from the CDC.

Every year there are outbreaks of Salmonella related to baby chicks. Watch a story of one young boy's illness associated with baby chicks.

Foodborne Illness News

• Whole onions identified as the source of large ongoing Salmonella outbreak. For more information click here.
• USDA Makes Effort to Reduce Poultry Salmonella Illnesses. For more information click here.
• For Recalls, Market Withdrawals, & Safety Alerts click here.