Salmonella in Colorado
Salmonella is a bacterial infection that causes diarrhea, fever, and stomach cramps. It's one of the most common foodborne illnesses, with about 1.35 million infections annually in the U.S., primarily from contaminated food.
No active Salmonella reports in Colorado right now.
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What is Salmonella?
Salmonella bacteria live in the intestines of animals and humans. Most infections result from eating contaminated food (poultry, eggs, produce, peanut butter). While most people recover without treatment in 4-7 days, it can be life-threatening for young children, elderly, and immunocompromised individuals. About 26,500 hospitalizations and 420 deaths occur annually in the U.S.
Symptoms
- Diarrhea (may be bloody)
- Fever and chills
- Abdominal cramps
- Nausea and vomiting
- Headache
- Symptoms last 4-7 days
- Severe cases: Dehydration, bacteremia (blood infection)
Transmission
Eating contaminated food (especially poultry, eggs, produce); contact with infected animals (reptiles, birds, backyard poultry); person-to-person (poor hygiene); contaminated water
Contagious Period: Several days to several weeks after infection; some become chronic carriers
Prevention
- Cook poultry to 165°F, ground meat to 160°F
- Avoid raw or undercooked eggs and meat
- Wash hands thoroughly after handling raw meat, pets, or using bathroom
- Prevent cross-contamination (separate cutting boards for raw meat)
- Refrigerate food within 2 hours (1 hour if temp >90°F)
- Wash fruits and vegetables thoroughly
- Don't prepare food when ill with diarrhea
- Avoid unpasteurized milk and juice
- Wash hands after handling reptiles, birds, or backyard poultry
Colorado Health Resources
Local health department information and state-specific prevention guidance
We're Monitoring Colorado
Our AI-powered surveillance continuously monitors Salmonella activity across Colorado. We track data from state health departments, local hospitals, CDC reports, and 50+ global health sources to provide early warning of emerging threats.
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Colorado Health Department
For official state health alerts, vaccination locations, and public health guidance specific to Colorado, visit your state health department's website.
Understanding Salmonella: Key Questions
Whether you live in Colorado or are traveling there, knowing the symptoms, timeline, and when to seek care helps you act quickly if exposure occurs.
When to Seek Care
Seek care if you experience severe dehydration, bloody stools, high fever, or symptoms lasting more than 3 days. Children under 5, adults over 65, and immunocompromised individuals should seek care earlier.
Emergency symptoms: Severe dehydration, inability to keep fluids down for 12 or more hours, or neurological symptoms require emergency care.
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Expert Resources & References
Trusted information from leading health organizations
CDC
Official guidance from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
View CDC Resources →WHO
Global disease surveillance and guidelines from the World Health Organization
View WHO Resources →Medically Reviewed Content
Disease information on Virus Watcher is reviewed by our Chief Epidemiologist, a former CDC lead analyst for FluSight forecasting. Outbreak data is aggregated from verified sources including BEACON, ProMED, WHO, CDC, and 50+ national health agencies. This information is for educational purposes and should not replace professional medical advice.
Last reviewed: 2026-07-18
Recent Salmonella Reports
No confirmed cases reported in Colorado yet. Here are the latest Salmonella reports from our global surveillance network.
More than two dozen people across 13 states have become ill with salmonella-linked food poisoning, some with antibiotic-resistant strains, between February and March, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said. Over a roughly one-month period, 34 people were infected wi…
A widespread recall of specialty drink products has been issued across the U.S., affecting consumers and businesses in 25 states after officials warned of a potentially "serious" health risk tied to contamination. The recall, announced by SKS Copack and published by the U.S. Foo…
The CDC said the outbreak has led to 53 hospitalizations, including 40 in the latest update, and one death in Washington state. More than a quarter of those affected are children younger than 5. Health officials are monitoring three related multistate outbreaks linked to contact…
Children account for a significant share of cases, with CDC data showing more than four in 10 patients are under 5 years old. No deaths have been reported. Laboratory testing shows the outbreak strain may be resistant to key antibiotics. The CDC warns many more infections may be…
Tesco has issued an urgent recall for the product Good4U Super Sprouts Super Greens due to a possible presence of salmonella. The date of the recall was issued on April 22nd, the batch codes are from the use by dates: 22/04/2026, 26/04/2026, 29/04/2026, 30/04/2026 and 03/05/2026…
"Children younger than 5 years old shouldn't handle the birds," warns the CDC. Spring is peak chick season, but that comes with some risks. A CDC warning links a growing Salmonella outbreak across 13 states to backyard chickens, sickening dozens and hospitalizing several people.…
A parasitic illness called cyclosporiasis is on the rise in the United States, with over 140 people becoming ill, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Cyclosporiasis is a foodborne illness, but unlike typical food poisoning caused by bacteria such as Salm…
Some of the recalled products were sold under Walmart's Great Value brand A public health alert has been issued for popular snacks and frozen meals sold at grocery stores nationwide after officials said the ingredients may be contaminated with Salmonella, a potentially dangerous…
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Salmonella answered by our epidemiology team
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