[Salmonella infections in the county of Frederiksborg during the period 1983-1988].

During the years 1983 to 1988, a marked increase in the number of Salmonella infections notified to the Medical Officer of health in Frederiksborg was observed. The epidemiology of Salmonella infections has altered decisively during the past 5-10 years. The number has increased drastically and this increase is due particularly to increase in the number of isolated sporadic cases. The primary cause of the increasing number of infections is increasing contamination of foodstuffs with Salmonella. Improved hygiene in the food industry is essential if the number of infections is to be reduced. Children are frequently infected by direct or indirect contact. Salmonella infections are, therefore, a problem in day institutions and in day care homes. Contact infection may be prevented by improved hygiene and quarantine for children with infectious diarrhoea. Symptom-free excretors, on the other hand, do not present any particular risk for infection and should not be excluded from institutions. Children may excrete bacteria for several months and quarantine based on positive faeces cultures may have considerable social consequences.