Don’t kiss your chickens or ducks. They’re linked to a deadly salmonella outbreak
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For the third consecutive summer, a salmonella outbreak linked to backyard poultry has seeped across the United States.. Here’s what you need to know about this year’s outbreak.
How many people are ill and where are they?
At the last Centers for Disease Control update, 219 people in 38 states were sickened. Of those, 27 were hospitalized and one died.
Minnesota has the most cases, 15, followed by Wisconsin, 13; Pennsylvania, 12; Texas and Illinois, 11 each; and Iowa, 10.
Other states reached include: Ohio and Washington, nine each; California and Missouri, eight each; Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Kentucky, and North Carolina, seven each; Georgia, Oregon and Tennessee, six each; Indiana, Massachusetts, Mississippi, Nebraska, New York, New Jersey, South Carolina, Utah and Wyoming, four each.
What is salmonella?
Salmonella is a disease that’s usually foodborne, often from undercooked poultry, which leaves the bacteria in the food alive.
By the CDC’s count, salmonella strikes 1.35 million Americans each year, hospitalizes about 26,500 and kills 420. Most at risk for the worst effects are senior citizens, children under 5 and those with damaged immune systems. Most people get fever, vomiting, stomachaches and diarrhea that starts around 12 to 72 hours after eating the tainted food and runs for four to seven days.
How is the backyard poultry involved?
People transfer the salmonella germs to their mouths or food after touching their pet chickens, ducks or turkeys, the birds’ living spaces or clothing that has touched their living spaces.
How to operate safely if you have backyard poultry
▪ Don’t kiss or snuggle the chickens or ducks, no matter how cute they look. Don’t eat or drink around them.
▪ Wash your hands with soap and water right after touching the birds, eggs or anything in their living space. Use hand sanitizer if you don’t have soap and water. There’s a reason some petting zoos keep hand sanitizer at the ready.
▪ Keep the birds and their stuff outside of the house.
▪ Watch kids, especially children under 5, closely — double check to make sure they’re washing their hands and not cuddling their bird pals.
▪ Pick up the eggs often. Brush dirt off before you crack them open. Cracked eggs should be trashed. That crack can be the salmonella entrance.
▪ Inside your house, store or restaurant, clean and disinfect all surfaces that come in contact with poultry.
This story was originally published June 14, 2022 at 11:28 AM with the headline "Don’t kiss your chickens or ducks. They’re linked to a deadly salmonella outbreak."
