Foodborne Illness
Each year the Butte County Public Health Department (BCPHD) receives many reports from doctors’ offices and laboratories regarding patients with foodborne illnesses. The report of these diseases is required by law. Two of the most common reports we receive are for the diseases Campylobacter and Salmonella. When BCPHD receives a report, one of the public health nurses will contact the patient to investigate how the infection was contracted. Through this process we can identify risk factors present here in Butte County and deliver education to the patient and the public to help prevent the spread of these illnesses.
Foodborne Illness Links
fightbac.org -The website of the Partnership for Food Safety Education
Foodborne Illness: What Consumers Need to Know
FoodSafety.gov - Gateway to Government Food Safety Information
Disease Organisms
Handwashing Prevents Disease
Salmonella Risk from Pets
Did you know that the sale of turtles less than 4 inches has been banned in the United States since 1975? This is because turtles pose a high risk of spreading disease, especially to children. The ban by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has prevented an estimated 100,000 cases of salmonellosis annually in children. For more information on reptiles and salmonella , click on the following links:
Alert to Parents - Pet Turtles May Be Harmful To Your
Childrens' Health 
FDA Kid's Site - Information for Kids on Reptiles and Salmonella
Easter traditions can also be of concern for children, placing them at risk for serious illness. Baby animals, including baby chicks and ducks, are sometimes given as gifts or put on display at this time. Because they are so soft and cute, many people do not realize the potential danger baby chicks and ducklings can be to small children. Young birds often carry harmful bacteria called Salmonella. And, each spring some children become infected with Salmonella after receiving a baby chick or duckling for Easter. For more information, click on the following link:
CDC Web Site - Why parents should think twice before giving baby birds for Easter