Bacteria

Question 1

Information on Salmonella enteritis?

Answer 1

Appearance:
Onset time: 6 - 48 hours, usually 12-36
Symptoms: Vomiting, diarrhoea, fever, headache and abdominal pains
Sources: Human and animal guts, pests, sewage
Foods: Raw/undercooked meat, poultry and eggs; dairy; fish
Bacteria type: Infectious
Prevention: Washing hands, thawing frozen food properly, using separate surfaces
Additional: Should not wash chicken to avoid spread.

Question 2

Information on Staphylococcus aureus?

Answer 2

Appearance:
Onset time: 1-7 hours
Symptoms: Vomiting, abdominal cramps or pain, diarrhoea, low temperature
Sources: Air, dust, sewage, water, people (50%, especially hair, cuts, boils, nails, skin, nose and mouth), raw milk
Foods: Meat, poultry, meat/poultry products, cold cooked meats, raw dairy, anything handled directly
Bacteria type: Toxic, but does not produce spores
Prevention: Handling food directly as little as possible, covering cuts, being hygienic
Additional: Most common worldwide.

Question 3

Information on Clostridium perfringens?

Answer 3

Appearance:
Onset time: 8-22 hours (usually 12-18)
Symptoms: Abdominal pain, diarrhoea
Sources: Human and animal intestines, soil, dust, insects
Foods: Meat, meat products, gravy, vegetables
Bacteria type: Toxic, and produces spores
Prevention: Thoroughly cooking and rapidly cooling, avoiding heavy joints of meat, hygiene

Question 4

Information on Clostridium botulinum?

Answer 4

Appearance:
Onset time: 2 hours - 8 days (normally 12-36 hours)
Symptoms: Difficulty swallowing, breathing and talking; paralysis
Sources: Soil, untreated water
Foods: Fish, meat, vegetables, smoked/canned fish, corned beef
Bacteria type: Toxic, and produces spores
Prevention: Control over canning, sterilising and vacuum packing; disposal of dented tins
Additional: Toxin (botulinum toxin) is the deadliest poison in the world. However, it is very rare.

Question 5

Information on Bacillus cereus?

Answer 5

Appearance:
Onset time: 1-5 hours
Symptoms: Abdominal pain, diarrhoea, vomiting
Sources: Cereals, soil, dust
Foods: Cereals (rice in particular)
Prevention: Rapidly cooling, thoroughly cooking, no reheating, hot-holding
Bacteria type: Toxic, and produces spores
Additional: Can be food poisoning or food-borne disease.

Question 6

Information on Campylobacter jejuni?

Answer 6

Appearance:
Onset time: 2-5 days
Symptoms: Flu-like symptoms, (bloody) diarrhoea, headache, fever, abdominal pain, nausea
Sources: Animals, sewage, untreated water
Food: Raw meat/poultry/milk, untreated water
Bacteria type: Infectious
Prevention: Cooking/heating thoroughly, washing hands
Additional: Causes gastroenteritis.