Tehama County Public Health warns of alarming increase in ... - Action News Now

TEHAMA COUNTY, Calif. - The Tehama County Health Services Agency has issued a public service announcement due to an alarming increase in both salmonella and campylobacter infections in recent months.

Health officials say that salmonella and campylobacter are both common bacteria that cause food-borne illnesses. Ingesting either bacteria can lead to the following symptoms:

• Fever
• Abdominal pain
• Diarrhea
• Vomiting

TCHSA says that there are many different sources of contamination, such as:

• Food sources: Raw meat and eggs, raw dairy products, and contaminated produce
• Water sources: contaminated water sources (untreated or freestanding bodies of water)
• Animals: exposure to the feces of livestock, pets, and reptiles
• People: exposure to feces (changing diapers or using the restroom and not properly washing hands)

Officials say that by adopting simple yet effective preventive measures, the public can significantly reduce the risk of salmonella and campylobacter infections. Effective measures include:

• Maintaining clean surfaces, utensils, and hands when preparing food
• Keeping raw meats separate from other foods to prevent cross-contamination
• Ensuring that cooked foods (such as poultry and eggs) reach recommended safe cooking temperatures
• Never leaving food out of refrigeration for more than two hours (bacteria grows most rapidly in the range of temperatures between 40 and 140 degrees Fahrenheit
• Washing hands frequently, especially before and after handling food, using the restroom, changing diapers, handling animals, or being in public spaces
• Washing hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds (use hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol when soap and water are not available)

TCHSA advises the public to seek medical attention if you experience the following symptoms:

• Diarrhea and a fever higher than 102 degrees Fahrenheit
• Diarrhea for more that three days that is not improving
• Bloody stools
• Prolonged vomiting that prevents you from keeping liquids down
• Signs of dehydration, such as making very little urine, dry mouth and throat, and dizziness when standing up

For general information regarding salmonella, click here.

For general information regarding campylobacter, click here.

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