PH salmonella cases hit 13K in 2023 – DOST

Cases of salmonella infections in the Philippines have increased by 42% in 2023, the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) said Monday.

“Sa buong mundo, may 83 million cases per year. Sa Pilipinas naman, it’s around 9,000 nung 2022 naging 13,000 nung January to August 2023. That’s a 42% increase,” said DOST Balik Scientist and Inventor Dr. Homer Pantua in a public briefing.

(There are 83 million cases of salmonella globally every year. In the Philippines, we monitored 9,000 in 2022. It increased by 42% in 2023 to 13,000.)

Salmonella are bacteria that make people sick, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. This is commonly transmitted to people through the consumption of raw or undercooked food such as eggs, meat and chicken, among others.

Common symptoms of salmonella infection are gastrointestinal disorders, abdominal cramps, and fever.

To ensure the quality and safety of food products, the DOST is collaborating with producers and research institutions such as the University of the Philippines-Diliman and Batangas Producers and Cooperative to determine the sources of salmonella in eggs.

Pantua also said the DOST Mobile Laboratory Unit can be used to curb salmonella infections and other animal diseases in the country. 

“May iba lang ang salmonella may kakaibang diagnostics na kailangan yan. Medyo mas matagal pero in terms of surveillance of bacteria and viruses, magagamit natin ito,” he said. 

(Salmonella has different required diagnostics compared to other animal diseases but in terms of  surveillance of bacteria and viruses, we can use (the Mobile Laboratory Unit).)