Abstract
Salmonella typhimurium infections at Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) are being isolated
more frequently than Salmonella typhi. There has been a persistent rise in the
isolation of S.typhimurium from blood, stools and cerebrospinal fluids (CSF) since 1970, with reports of
minor outbreaks in 1972 and 1974. A major outbreak occurred in 1985 which resulted in closure of the
paediatric observation wards (POW) the main admission area for children. Renovation measures in POW improved
the situation for only a short time. S.typhimurium reappeared soon after reopening these wards. Over -
crowding with resultant poor hygiene is one of the contributory factors to infections with S.typhimurium