(Dec 4) OF THE 106 people who came down with food poisoning, six tested positive for salmonella enteritidis.

Salmonella is a group of bacteria often found in meat, eggs and dairy products.

It results in fever, stomach cramps and diarrhoea. Symptoms usually show up six to 72 hours after eating contaminated food and can last four to seven days.

People need to worry only when their fever persists longer than 14 days, or if their diarrhoea gets bloody or contains mucus, say doctors.

In mild cases, some people recover on their own without treatment.

Others may need antibiotics, or even hospitalisation, to ensure that they do not become dehydrated and go into shock.

More than 200 people here come down with various salmonella infections each year.

For inquiries, call the Health Ministry on 1800-225-4122 or the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority on 1800-226-2250.