MANILA - The Philippines has experienced a significant rise in salmonella cases in 2023, with reported infections reaching 13,000, up from 9,000 in the previous year.
According to Philippines News Agency, Homer Pantua, a returning scientist with the Department of Science and Technology, shared this concerning trend during a televised briefing on Monday. He emphasized the urgent need for interventions to address this public health issue. "There are 83 million cases globally. In the Philippines, salmonella cases were 9,000 in 2022 and increased to 42 percent from January to August 2023," Pantua noted.
Salmonellosis, the infection caused by salmonella bacteria, typically results from the consumption of raw or undercooked foods, such as eggs and meat, contaminated with the bacteria. The condition can cause gastrointestinal disorders, fever, and abdominal cramps in humans, while affecting livestock with decreased productivity.
Pantua highlighted ongoing efforts to combat this issue, including collaboration with the Batangas Egg Producers Cooperative (BEPCO) to investigate the causes of salmonella in eggs and ensure the provision of safe, quality eggs to consumers. "What we do as scientists is we coordinate with producers and research institutions... Right now, we are collaborating with BEPCO so we could determine the causes of salmonella in eggs. They are serious in providing safe and quality eggs to the consumers," Pantua stated.