Salmonella outbreak: How to avoid getting infected

As Public Health England investigates a national outbreak of Salmonella Enteritidis, here are some tips on how to avoid becoming infected.

1) Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and warm water:

  • Before preparing and eating food

  • After handling raw food

  • After going to the toilet or changing a baby's nappy

  • After touching pets and other animals, especially reptiles and amphibians

  • After working in the garden

2) Keep cooked food and raw food away from each other

3) Store raw food below cooked or ready-to-eat foods in the fridge

4) Wash raw fruits and vegetables thoroughly before eating

Wash raw fruits and vegetables thoroughly before eating. Credit: Nick Ansell/PA Wire

5) Cook food - especially meat - until it is piping hot

6) Keep all kitchen surfaces and equipment - including knives, chopping board and dish cloths - clean

7) Do not drink untreated water from lakes, rivers or streams

Reptiles and amphibians can carry the Salmonella bacteria. Credit: Stefan Sauer/DPA/Press Association Images

8) Do not keep reptiles or amphibians in homes where there is a child under five or someone with a weak immune system

9) If someone in your household has Salmonella:

  • Wash all dirty clothes, bedding and towels on the hottest cycle of the washing machine and clean

  • Clean toilet seats, toilet bowls, flush handles, taps and wash hand basins after use with detergent and hot water then household disinfectant

For advice on how to handle eggs safety visit the NHS website