There are now eight confirmed cases of salmonella at Princeton University and health officials are investigating whether they are related to 80 other cases of stomach problems at the school.  A Princeton spokeswoman said those who tested positive for the salmonella bacteria had more severe symptoms than the others, who may have caught an unrelated virus.  The bacteria is most commonly transmitted through food. Local authorities have inspected the school’s largest dining hall and the university has sent food samples to a lab.  For more updates, see the student paper:

Campus sees gastroenteritis spike – McCosh Health Center observes symptoms in 50 to 60 students

Salmonella is one of the most common enteric (intestinal) infections in the United States. Salmonellosis (the disease caused by Salmonella) is the second most common foodborne illness after Campylobacter infection. It is estimated that 1.4 million cases of salmonellosis occur each year in the U.S. – 95% of those cases are foodborne-related. Approximately 220 of each 1000 cases result in hospitalization and eight of every 1000 cases result in death. About 500 to 1,000 or 31% of all food-related deaths are caused by Salmonella infections each year. Salmonellosis is more common in the warmer months of the year.

Salmonella infection occurs when the bacteria are ingested, typically from food derived from infected food-animals, but it can also occur by ingesting the feces of an infected animal or person. Food sources include raw or undercooked eggs/egg products, raw milk or raw milk products, contaminated water, meat and meat products, and poultry. Raw fruits and vegetables contaminated during slicing have been implicated in several foodborne outbreaks.