Question

The CDC estimate that the 50,000 cases of salmonellosis reported annually may actually represent only 10% of the true numbers of cases. Why do you think this is? 2)

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration recently approved a process in which bacteriophage are sprayed on to meat and poultry to make them safer to eat. How do you think this process works, and do you feel it is safe for humans that consume the meat?

Answer 1

Most of the serovars of Salmonella cause infections that are self-limiting. They cause diarrhea, nausea, abdominal cramps, and vomitting, the symptoms of which are generally referred to as Salmonella gastroenteritis. However, in most healthy individuals, the disease may last only one or two days, and resolve without any treatment. Most often, the symptoms are simply considered food poisoning. Only in people with suppressed immune system, neonates, and elderly persons severe symptoms may develop.

Bacteriophages are specific for bacteria. These are virus that infect bacteria and lyse them. The phages that are used for spraying target Salmonella only, infect and kill them. The treated foods are safe for human consumption since the phages cannot infect humans. It is a cheap and organic method of reducing Salmonella in foods.