Salmonella is a type of bacterium that is the leading cause of foodborne illness in the United States. Salmonella bacteria live in the intestines of animals and humans. Over 2,000 different strains of salmonella exist and only a handful of them cause disease in humans. Of these, three types are responsible for most Salmonella infections in humans. Salmonella Typhi causes the disease known as typhoid fever which spreads only between humans, while Salmonella Enteritidis and Salmonella Typhimurium live in the intestines of poultry and swine and cause salmonellosis (commonly called a Salmonella infection). The name “Salmonella” comes from the American scientist who discovered the bacteria, Dr. Daniel Salmon.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), salmonellosis causes about 1.4 million cases of foodborne illness and more than 500 deaths each year in the United States.