MANILA — The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) on Monday warned the public against salmonella, after data showed that the bacteria killed nearly 50 people in the Philippines in 2023. 

The Philippines logged 13,000 cases of salmonella from January to August 2023, which is a 43 percent increase from recorded cases in 2022, said Homer Pantua, a DOST scientist who specializes in immunology and virology.

"Ang epekto nito sa hayop ay nagkaroon ka ng decrease in productivity. Sa tao, isang public health concern ito," he told state television PTV.

"Nagkakaroon ng gastrointestinal disorder katulad ng diarrhea, abdominal cramps at saka tinatawag na lagnat," he said.

Salmonella usually enters a person’s body once he or she ingests food contaminated with the bacteria.

"Nakukuha ito kalimitan sa mga itlog, sa mga hindi nalutong pagkain," Pantua said.

"Puwede itong manggaling sa food chain natin… lalo na kapag hindi processed ng maayos," he said.

The government has been coordinating with food producers and research institutions to ensure the quality and safety of goods before these are sold in the market, the scientist said.

The DOST's mobile biocontainment lab is also being used in the "surveillance of bacteria and viruses" in the country, he said.