Consumer Studies - Transmission possibilities and foodborne diseases

What are the transmission possibilities in the food environment?

Infection, irritation and poisoning in the digestive tract that can be transmitted by ingesting contaminated food and beverages.

Who is particularly susceptible to these diseases?

• People with a weakened immune system (such as people with HIV)

• Babies, the elderly and pregnant women

What does it mean if something is contaminated?

• Something that is infected and therefore unfit for human consumption

• May be due to exposure to harmful organisms, chemicals or the environment

What are the causes of contamination?

• Pathogens: disease-causing microorganism such as bacteria, viruses and parasites

• Chemical substances

What are foods associated with foodborne diseases?

• Raw foods of animal origin (meat, chicken, eggs, shellfish, unpasteurised milk)

• When food comes in contact with animal manure (fruits and vegetables)

• Unpasteurised fruit juices/cider (pathogens present in the fruit from which it is made)

• Any food item handled by humans (a disease can be transmitted to the food if not boiled well after contact)

What are some preventative measures to take when handling food?

Hygiene

• Wash your hands for at least 20 seconds under warm soapy water before and after handling food

• Clean all appliances and surfaces with soapy water before and after food preparation

• Ensure there are no flies or roaches in the area

Grocery shopping

• Ensure that the store is clean

• Ensure that eggs are not dirty or cracked

Misc

• Place perishable food in the fridge immediately

• Boil or cook food long enough to kill all harmful bacteria

• Fruit and vegetables should be washed before eating, slicing or cooking

• Cover container in which the food is stored

What is Hepatitis A?

• An extremely contagious live infection (also called infective Jaundice)

• Excreted in the faeces

• Incubation period: 15-50 days (28 days on average)

What are the symptoms of Hepatitis A?

• Yellow skin or eyes

• Sluggishness

• Loss of appetite

• Dark urine or clay-coloured stools

• Joint pain

• Fever

How to prevent Hepatitis A?

• Good sanitation

• Prevent flies from coming into contact with food

• Wash your hands thoroughly after using the toilet and when handling food

• Avoid: unpasteurised dairy products, raw vegetables and fruits

What is tuberculosis (TB)?

A severe, chronic bacterial infection affecting the lungs.

• Bacterium involved: Mycobacterium tuberculosis

• How does it spread: By saliva droplets in the air and is inhaled → when untreated can lead to death

• Diagnosis: skin test, blood test, x-rays and chest and saliva tests

• Incubation period: 2 to 12 weeks

Symptoms of tuberculosis (TB)

• Persistent cough

• Fever

• Chills

• Coughing up blood

• Night sweats

How to prevent tuberculosis?

• Open windows in small and enclosed spaces so bacteria cannot spread as easily

• Do not go to school or work in order to prevent spread

• Babies are vaccinated in some high-risk countries

• Medication can be taken

What is E. Coli (Escherichia coli) infection?

It is a bacteria found in the digestive tract of healthy animals and humans. Some types can cause intestinal infections while others can lead to death.

• Transmission

  • When faeces of domestic or wild animals come into contact with raw fruits/vegetables

  • Intake of contaminated water

  • Unhygienic practises during food preparation

  • Intake of semi-cooked beef

  • Swimming in contaminated water

• Prevention

  • Ensure that all dairy products are pasteurised

  • Boil water upon use

  • Wash all fruits, vegetables, appliances and surfaces

  • Avoid cross contamination between raw and cooked foods

• Incubation period: 7 days

What is gastroenteritis?

The inflammation of the inner wall of the stomach, small intestine and colon due to infection, may be due to eating undercooked food, food stored at room temperature for too long or food not reheated well

• Transmission

  • Poor hygiene

  • Eating and drinking contaminated food/water

  • Swimming in contaminated water

• Prevention

  • Avoid the intake of raw meat and shellfish'

  • Wash hands thoroughly

  • Avoid foods are street markets

  • Use separate chopping boards and utensils for raw and cooked meat

• Incubation period: a few hours to a few days

What are the symptoms of gastroenteritis?

• Nausea or vomiting

• Abdominal pain

• Mild or acute diarrhoea

• Appetite loss

• Headache