HHS HealthBeat (May 14, 2008)

Making the grade

From the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, I’m Ira Dreyfuss with HHS HealthBeat.

Children aren’t the only ones evaluated with report cards. Germs are, too.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Report Card on Food Safety lists Salmonella as the most common foodborne illness last year. Another germ, E. coli O157, also is a concern.

Salmonella can cause diarrhea, fever, abdominal cramps or vomiting.  Symptoms appear within three days and disappear in about seven in most cases.

E. coli can cause severe illness, including kidney failure.

CDC researcher Casey Barton Behravesh says:

“Avoid the consumption of raw or undercooked foods including oysters, eggs, ground beef and poultry, and also, always wash hands thoroughly after contact with raw meat, animals, animal products or animal environments.” (13 seconds)

Learn more at hhs.gov.

HHS HealthBeat is a production of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.  I’m Ira Dreyfuss.

Last revised: May, 13 2008