Gastroenteritis – Salmonellosis in Grand Rapids, Michigan

Salmonellosis is a type of gastroenteritis (stomach and intestinal infection) caused by Salmonella bacteria. It’s a common cause of food poisoning in West Michigan and can affect anyone living in Grand Rapids and the surrounding Kent County area.

While anyone can get salmonellosis, most cases occur in children and young adults. The severity of illness depends on:

  • How many bacteria you ingest
  • Your age
  • Your overall health and immune system

Older adults, infants, people with weakened immune systems (for example, from cancer treatment, diabetes, HIV, or chronic illness), and those who are malnourished are at higher risk for severe illness and complications.

Symptoms of Salmonellosis

Symptoms usually start 6 to 72 hours after swallowing Salmonella bacteria, often from contaminated food or water.

Common symptoms include:

  • Diarrhea, which may contain blood or mucus
  • Stomach cramps
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Fever
  • Headache
  • Dehydration (especially in infants and older adults)

In rare cases, septicemia (blood poisoning) can develop, which is a medical emergency and may require hospital care at facilities such as Corewell Health (formerly Spectrum Health) Butterworth Hospital, Trinity Health Grand Rapids, or other local hospitals.

Although the illness usually lasts a few days to a week, the bacteria can remain in your stool for several weeks. About 1% of adults and up to 5% of children may carry Salmonella for more than a year, even after feeling better.

How Salmonellosis Spreads in Everyday Life

In Grand Rapids homes, restaurants, schools, and childcare centers, Salmonella spreads mainly through:

1. Eating Contaminated Food

  • Undercooked meat, especially poultry (chicken, turkey) and pork
  • Raw or undercooked eggs (including foods made with raw eggs like some homemade sauces or desserts)
  • Cooked or ready-to-eat foods that become contaminated after cooking

2. Cross-Contamination in the Kitchen

Raw foods can contaminate surfaces and other foods. This can happen when:

  • Raw chicken, meat, or eggs touch ready-to-eat foods
  • Cutting boards, knives, serving spoons, countertops, or other utensils used for raw foods are not thoroughly washed before being used for cooked foods
  • Contaminated juices from raw meat drip in the refrigerator onto cooked food or fresh produce

This is especially important in cooler months in Michigan when more cooking is done indoors and grills are used less often, increasing reliance on kitchen surfaces and shared utensils.

3. Person-to-Person Spread

People with salmonellosis have Salmonella in their stool. The bacteria can spread when:

  • A person does not wash their hands properly after using the bathroom
  • Contaminated hands touch surfaces, doorknobs, phones, toys, or food
  • Hands become contaminated while changing the diaper of an infected infant

4. Pets and Farm Animals

In West Michigan, where contact with farm animals and backyard poultry is common, Salmonella can also be carried by:

  • Reptiles and amphibians (turtles, lizards, snakes, frogs)
  • Backyard chickens and ducks
  • Other pets and farm animals

People can get salmonellosis if they don’t wash their hands well after handling these animals or cleaning cages, coops, or litter boxes.

Diagnosis of Salmonellosis in Grand Rapids

If your healthcare provider suspects salmonellosis, they will usually request a stool (feces) sample for testing.

In Grand Rapids, testing can be arranged through:

  • Your primary care provider or pediatrician
  • Urgent care clinics (including those affiliated with Corewell Health, Trinity Health Grand Rapids, Metro Health – University of Michigan Health, and Mercy Health)
  • Local hospital emergency departments for severe cases

If the test confirms Salmonella, your doctor will:

  • Provide advice on hydration and symptom management
  • Prescribe antibiotics if needed (usually only for severe cases or high‑risk patients)
  • Report the case to public health authorities, such as the Kent County Health Department and Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS), as required

When to Seek Medical Help

Contact a doctor or seek urgent care in Grand Rapids if you or your child has:

  • Signs of dehydration (dry mouth, very little urine, dizziness, sunken eyes in infants)
  • Bloody diarrhea
  • High fever
  • Severe stomach pain
  • Symptoms lasting longer than a few days
  • A weakened immune system, is pregnant, very young, or elderly

In emergencies, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department, such as Butterworth Hospital, Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital, or Trinity Health Grand Rapids.

Food-Borne Salmonellosis and Public Health in Grand Rapids

If you think you got sick from contaminated food (for example, from a restaurant, catered event, or store-bought product):

  • Contact the Kent County Health Department or Grand Rapids Public Health
  • Save any leftover food you suspect caused your illness (refrigerate or freeze it if possible) – this can help trace the source of the outbreak

Food-borne outbreaks of salmonellosis do occur in Michigan, and tracing the source is an important public health responsibility of the Kent County Health Department and MDHHS.

Preventing Salmonellosis at Home

Safe Food Handling in Grand Rapids Kitchens

To help protect yourself and others from salmonellosis:

  • Thoroughly cook animal-based foods – especially poultry, pork, eggs, and meat dishes
  • Avoid dirty or cracked eggs
  • Store raw and cooked foods separately in the refrigerator
  • Do not eat raw or undercooked eggs or meat

Because Michigan experiences warm, humid summers, bacteria can grow quickly on food left out at room temperature. During picnics, barbecues, or trips to Lake Michigan:

  • Keep cold foods in coolers with ice packs
  • Do not leave perishable foods out for more than 1–2 hours (less if very hot)

Keep Your Kitchen Clean

Raw Foods Can Contaminate Surfaces

To reduce the risk of Salmonella:

  • Store high-risk foods at or below 5 °C (41 °F) or at or above 60 °C (140 °F) to prevent bacterial growth
  • Keep raw meat, poultry, and eggs away from ready-to-eat foods
  • Use separate cutting boards for raw meat and for fruits/vegetables if possible
  • Do not handle cooked foods with the same utensils used for raw foods unless they have been thoroughly washed in hot, soapy water
  • Clean and disinfect kitchen surfaces regularly, especially after preparing raw meat or eggs

Handwashing

Wash and dry your hands thoroughly:

  • Before preparing or eating food
  • After using the bathroom
  • After changing diapers
  • After handling raw meat, poultry, or eggs
  • After touching pets, farm animals, or cleaning cages/coops

Use warm water and soap, scrub all surfaces of your hands for at least 20 seconds, then dry with a clean towel or paper towel.

Preventing the Spread of Infection in Schools and Workplaces

To protect the Grand Rapids community:

  • Keep children home from school, childcare, or preschool until diarrhea and vomiting have completely stopped
  • Food handlers, childcare workers, and healthcare workers must not work until symptoms have stopped and, in some cases, until cleared by public health guidelines
  • Clean bathrooms, toilets, and frequently touched surfaces regularly with appropriate disinfectants

These steps are especially important in colder Michigan months, when people spend more time indoors and infections can spread more easily.

Pet Food and Salmonella Safety

Research, including guidance from MDHHS, has shown that pet food can sometimes be contaminated with Salmonella or Campylobacter. The risk is higher with dried or raw pet foods, but all pet foods should be handled carefully.

Treat pet food with the same care as human food, plus these added safety tips:

  • Freeze raw pet food in clearly labeled containers until ready to use
  • Defrost pet food in sealed containers in the refrigerator, on lower shelves to prevent juices from dripping onto cooked foods or fresh produce
  • Wash your hands before and after handling pet food
  • If possible, use separate utensils for preparing pet food and human food
  • If you must share utensils, wash them in hot, soapy water immediately after use
  • Avoid contaminating kitchen items like sponges, dishcloths, tea towels, and sinks
  • Throw away any uneaten pet food that has been sitting out
  • After playing with your pet—especially right after they eat—wash your hands carefully
  • Try to avoid letting pets lick your face or mouth

These precautions are particularly important for households with young children, older adults, or anyone with a weakened immune system.

Local Resources and Where to Get Help in Grand Rapids

If you suspect salmonellosis or have questions about gastroenteritis in Grand Rapids, you can contact:

  • Your GP (primary care doctor) or pediatrician
  • Local urgent care centers (Corewell Health, Trinity Health, Metro Health, Mercy Health)
  • Kent County Health Department – for public health advice and to report suspected food-borne illness
  • Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) – for statewide food safety and infectious disease information

For immediate medical concerns, call your healthcare provider or 911 in an emergency.

Key Points About Salmonellosis in Grand Rapids

  • Salmonellosis is a form of gastroenteritis caused by Salmonella bacteria.
  • Severity depends on how many bacteria you ingest, your age, and your general health.
  • Symptoms usually appear 6–72 hours after infection and include diarrhea, fever, stomach cramps, nausea, vomiting, and possible dehydration.
  • High-risk groups include infants, older adults, and people with weakened immune systems.
  • To prevent infection, cook animal products thoroughly, avoid cross-contamination, store high-risk foods at ≤5 °C (41 °F) or ≥60 °C (140 °F), and wash hands regularly.
  • Food handlers, childcare workers, and healthcare workers should not work until symptoms have completely stopped.
  • Local resources in Grand Rapids, including the Kent County Health Department and major health systems, can help with diagnosis, treatment, and outbreak investigation.

By following safe food handling, good hygiene, and prompt medical care when needed, residents of Grand Rapids can significantly reduce the risk of salmonellosis and protect the health of the community.