USA – The CDC is warning of a outbreak of Salmonella infections that are linked to Backyard poultry this has 1003 people infected in 49 states and two deaths one from Ohio and one From Texas.
Since the last update on July 19, 2019, illnesses in an additional 235 people and one state have been added to this investigation.
Of the 1003 infected, 605 people with hospitalization information available, 175 (29%) have been hospitalized. Of 850 ill people with age information available, 192 (23%) are children younger than 5 years.
Epidemiologic and laboratory evidence indicate that contact with backyard poultry, such as chicks and ducklings, from multiple hatcheries are the likely source of these outbreaks.
- In interviews, 343 (67%) of 511 ill people reported contact with chicks or ducklings.
- People reported getting chicks and ducklings from several sources, including agricultural stores, websites, and hatcheries.
- Six of the outbreak strains making people sick have been identified in samples collected from backyard poultry environments at people’s homes in California, Minnesota and Ohio and from poultry environments at retail stores in Michigan and Oregon.
Poultry can carry Salmonella germs that can make people sick. Backyard poultry owners should always follow steps to stay healthy around their poultry.
Follow these tips to stay healthy with your backyard flock:
- Always wash your hands with soap and water right after touching backyard poultry or anything in the area where they live and roam.
- Adults should supervise handwashing by young children.
- Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol if soap and water are not readily available.
- Don’t let backyard poultry inside the house, especially in areas where food or drink is prepared, served, or stored.
- Set aside a pair of shoes to wear while taking care of poultry and keep those shoes outside of the house.
- Children younger than 5, adults aged 65 and older, and people who have health problems or take medicines that lower the body’s ability to fight germs and sickness shouldn’t handle or touch chicks, ducklings, or other poultry.
- Don’t eat or drink where poultry live or roam.
- Don’t kiss backyard poultry or snuggle them and then touch your face or mouth.
- Stay outdoors when cleaning any equipment or materials used to raise or care for poultry, such as cages, or feed or water containers.
