Salmonella Enteritidis is one type of Salmonella bacterium, which is responsible for the Salmonellosis infection in humans. Salmonella Enteritidis is responsible for an estimated 142,000 illnesses and dozens of deaths every year in the United States.
Salmonella Enteritidis Transmission
Salmonella Enteritidis can be present in the intestinal tracts or ovaries of animals and birds, and can be transmitted to people who eat the eggs raw or undercooked.
Symptoms of Salmonella Enteritidis
A person infected with Salmonella Enteritidis will usually have a fever and may experience diarrhea, nausea, vomiting and abdominal cramps. Symptoms appear within one to three days after infection.
Salmonella Enteritidis Risk Reduction
Eggs should be kept refrigerated until use, and any eggs with cracked shells should be thrown out. Eggs should also be fully cooked before consumption, and be eaten promptly and not left sitting around.
FDA Regulations
The Food and Drug Administration passed new regulations to ensure the safety of eggs. These include specific measures regarding the production, storage and transport of eggs. Producers will also have to register with the FDA.
Salmonella Enteritidis Statistics
Salmonella Enteritidis infects hundreds of thousands of people every year in the United States. According to the FDA, and the newly passed regulations will save an estimated 79,000 illnesses and 30 deaths every year.