Food poisoning of Staphylococcus aureus
Staphylococcus aureus is a round bacterium.
The symptoms of food poisoning caused by Staphylococcus aureus are severe for a short period of time but the illness is rarely fatal.
Staphylococcus aureus causes toxic food poisoning. Whilst growing and multiplying in food stored at a warn temperature, it produces a toxin ( poisonous substance).
When the food is swallowed the toxin irritates the stomach lining, causing vomiting. The incubation period is therefore relatively short and the main symptom is vomiting.
Incubation period: 1-7 hour (usually 2-4 hours)
Duration of illness: 6-24 hours
Symptoms: Vomiting, sometimes abdominal pains and diarrhea
Staphylococcus aureus is frequently present in the human nose and throat and on the skin of healthy people.
It is known as a ‘commensal’ because it is completely harmless when present in these areas. It is found also in large numbers in boils, styes and septic cuts.
Staphylococcus aureus is sometimes present in unpasteurized milk.
Means of access to food
*People working in the kitchen who sneeze or cough over food or who have septic cuts, boils, styes, etc and do not cover them with an adequate waterproof dressing.
*Unpasteurized milk and products made from unpasteurized milk which are not cooked or onely lightly cooled.
Food poisoning of Staphylococcus aureus
