Salmonella Outbreaks in 43 States Linked to Backyard Chickens, CDC Warns

A multi-state salmonella outbreak has been reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, warning backyard poultry owners that it may be linked to it.

On Thursday, May 20, the CDC issued a notice to the public to avoid kissing or snuggling backyard poultry and to not eat or drink around them as salmonella bacteria could spread to the mouth and make them sick.

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Salmonella Outbreaks in 43 States Linked to Backyard Chickens, CDC Warns

Multi-State Salmonella Outbreak

USA Today reported that the notice comes out after 163 people across 43 states have been sickened with the salmonella infection. Fortunately, no deaths have been reported but the health agency said that one-third of confirmed cases are children under five years old.

In connection to that, the CDC emphasized the importance of keeping an eye on the children when around poultry to make sure they always wash their hands properly afterward. Also, they warn to not let children below five years old touch chickens, ducklings, or other backyard poultry.

In 2020, backyard poultry was also found to be the leading cause of the salmonella outbreak that infected 1,722 people nationwide, including 333 hospitalizations and one death.

The health agency wrote in December that the number of salmonella infection cases reported in 2020 was higher than the number reported in the past years, which linked it to backyard poultry.

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Symptoms of Salmonella Infection

Salmonella infection or salmonellosis is a common bacterial disease that infects animal and human intestines and is shed through feces. Usually, humans become infected through contaminated water or food.

According to Mayo Clinic, salmonella infections do not typically have symptoms but some could experience diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps within 72 hours since getting infected. Healthy people usually recover within a few days without specific treatment.

Diarrhea associated with salmonella infection sometimes could be so dehydrating that it would require immediate medical attention. Life-threatening complications caused by the bacteria may also develop if it goes beyond the intestinal tract.

Furthermore, salmonella infection can also be acquired by eating raw or undercooked eggs, poultry, meat, and egg products. Possible signs and symptoms of salmonella infection could include nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps, diarrhea, fever, chills, headache, and blood in the stool.

Symptoms generally could last for up to two to seven days, but diarrhea may last for up to ten days and might even take months for bowels to return to normal.

What Backyard Poultry Owners Should Do?

The CDC reminds backyard poultry owners to always wash their hands with soap and water immediately after handling poultry, their eggs, or any object in or near the area where they live. If soap and water are not available, hand sanitizers can be used.

While in the backyard tending the chickens or other poultry, avoid kissing or snuggling them, and do not eat or drink around the poultry because the bacteria could into the mouth and make people sick.

Also, supervise children around flocks and make sure they wash their hands after. In addition, handle eggs safely by regularly collecting them as often as possible, and throw away cracked eggs because germs might have already infiltrated through the cracked shell.

Lastly, make sure to keep eggs fresh by refrigerating them, and to cook poultry and eggs properly. Internal heat required is 160 degrees Fahrenheit to make sure that all bacteria are killed.