The Big 6

Clinical Name: Hepatitis A Virus Infection (HAV) Common Name: Hepatitis A What Is Hepatitis A? Hepatitis A is a highly contagious liver infection caused by the hepatitis A virus (HAV). The virus spreads through person-to-person contact or by consuming contaminated food or water. Hepatitis A usually causes a mild, short-term illness, but in some cases—especially among older adults and people with preexisting conditions—it can lead to liver failure and death. Source: CDC, WHO Introduction

Clinical Name: Norovirus Common Name: Stomach bug or stomach flu (not related to influenza) What Is Norovirus? Norovirus is a highly contagious virus that causes acute gastroenteritis—an inflammation of the stomach and intestines. It leads to vomiting and diarrhea, and is the leading cause of foodborne illness in the United States. It spreads quickly through contaminated food, water, surfaces, and person-to-person contact. Just a tiny amount of virus is enough to make someone sick. Source:

Clinical Name: Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli Common Name: E. coli (STEC) What Is STEC? Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) are a group of E. coli bacteria that can cause severe foodborne illness. While many strains of E. coli are harmless and even beneficial, STEC produce powerful toxins that can lead to serious complications—especially hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), which can cause kidney failure. Source: CDC, WHO Introduction While most types of E. coli are harmless

Clinical Name: Shigella spp. Common Name: Shigellosis What Is Shigella? Shigella is a group of bacteria that cause an infection known as shigellosis. These bacteria are transmitted through fecal-oral contact—either from contaminated food or water, or direct person-to-person contact. Only a small number of Shigella bacteria are needed to cause illness, making it highly contagious. Source: CDC, WHO Introduction Shigellosis is more than just a stomach bug—it’s a highly contagious infection t

Clinical Name: Salmonella enterica serotype Typhi Common Name: Typhoid Fever What Is Salmonella Typhi? Salmonella enterica serotype Typhi is a human-specific bacterium that causes typhoid fever—a serious systemic illness transmitted through ingestion of food or water contaminated with fecal matter from infected individuals. Unlike other Salmonella species, S. Typhi does not have animal reservoirs and is primarily spread via the fecal-oral route. Source: CDC, WHO Introduction Typhoid feve

Clinical Name: Salmonella enterica (multiple serotypes including Enteritidis, Typhimurium, etc.) Common Name: Salmonella What Is Salmonella? Salmonella is a genus of rod-shaped, gram-negative, facultatively anaerobic bacteria in the family Enterobacteriaceae. It naturally inhabits the intestines of humans and animals and is primarily transmitted to humans through the consumption of contaminated food or water. Infection with Salmonella—known as salmonellosis—can range from mild gastroenteriti

Foodborne illness is a constant concern in the food service industry, and food safety practices must be at the forefront of every operation. Every year, millions of people fall ill from consuming contaminated food, and while there are over 250 pathogens identified by health organizations, six pathogens account for a significant majority of foodborne illnesses and outbreaks. In the coming 6 weeks, we will dive deep into the world of these Big 6 Pathogens, exploring each one’s unique characterist