Occurrence: Worldwide.

Reservoir: A wide range of domestic and wild animals, including poultry, swine, cattle, rodents and pets such as iguanas, tortoises, turtles, terrapins, chicks, dogs, and cats.

Mode of transmission: By ingestion of the organisms in food derived from infected food-animals or contaminated by feces of an infected animal or person.

Incubation period: From 6 to 72 hours, usually 12 to 36 hours.

Methods of control and prevention: Education regarding sanitary practices and the proper handling of food. Avoid consumption of raw or incompletely cooked egg products. Recognize the risk of Salmonella infections in pets.

See pages 410-415 in Control of Communicable Diseases Manual for more detailed information.