Salmonella is one of the most common intestinal infections in the United States. The reported incidence of salmonella illnesses are about 17 cases per each 100,000 persons.

In 1885, pioneering American veterinary scientist Daniel E. Salmon discovered the first strain of salmonella from the intestine of a pig.

Salmonella is a type of bacteria that causes typhoid fever and many other infections of intestinal origin. Typhoid fever is caused by a particular strain designated as salmonella typhi. But illness due to other salmonella strains is common in the U.S. Currently, the number of known strains total over 2,300. Over 40,000 actual cases are reported and confirmed yearly in the United States.

Since only about 3% of salmonella cases are officially reported nationwide, and many milder cases are never diagnosed, the true incidence is undoubtedly much higher. Approximately 31% of all food-related deaths are caused by salmonella infections in the U.S. every year.