Salmonella infections are caused by one of more than 2,000 strains of a bacterium known as Salmonella.
Salmonella infections occur worldwide. People acquire Salmonella bacteria from one another or from animals. Once the person swallows the bacteria, he or she may develop an infection of the gastrointestinal system known as gastroenteritis. This inflammation of the stomach and intestines commonly causes stomach upset, vomiting, and diarrhea.
Many animals may carry Salmonella bacteria. These include cats, dogs, livestock, fish, birds, rodents, reptiles, and amphibians.
Salmonella infections are caused by one of the more than 2,000 strains of the Salmonella bacteria. Salmonella infections are transmitted from animals to people, or from person to person, in the following ways:
The risk of acquiring this infection is increased by the following: