- Infectious Diseases & Outbreaks Home
- DETECT Notifiable Diseases
- TEST
- REPORT
- Case Counts
- Outbreaks
- Foodborne Diseases
- Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
- Influenza (Flu)
- Mpox
- Mosquito-Borne Diseases
- Rabies
- Tickborne Diseases
- Viral Hemorrhagic Fevers
- Waterborne Diseases
- Zoonoses
- HAI
- Infection Prevention
- Serious Infectious Disease Network (SIDN)
- Meaningful Use
- Toxicology
- Coastal Conditions
- Communicable Diseases
- District Investigators
- Electronic Case Reporting
- Contact Us
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.
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
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
Page last updated: April 4, 2022