Salmonella, a bacteria that mostly spreads through contaminated food and water, is one of the most common foodborne pathogens in the U.S. and globally, infecting tens of millions of people every year. Incidences of the disease are on the rise globally, according to a 2025 study. Salmonella cases increased by almost 50% between 1990 and 2021, and deaths from Salmonella infection increased by almost 27% over the same period, the study said.
Most people infected with Salmonella suffer diarrhea, fever, and stomach cramps, starting 6 hours to 6 days after ingesting the bacteria, the CDC says. Most people recover without treatment after 4 to 7 days, but the illness can be severe or even life-threatening in some people, including young children, the elderly, and people with weak immune systems.
