Don’t kiss your chickens, CDC says. A salmonella outbreak is spreading across the US
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is warning people not to kiss or snuggle their backyard poultry after a few flocks were linked to a multistate salmonella outbreak, the agency said.
Over 470 people were infected with salmonella since the CDC’s update on the situation on June 24, according to the agency’s website. As of July 28, 938 people were infected with a strain that has been reported by health officials in several states, the CDC said.
Forty-eight states are investigating 15 multistate outbreaks with the help of the CDC, according to the agency. One person died after becoming infected in Oklahoma and 151 people (33% of reported infections) were hospitalized, the CDC said.
The CDC linked the outbreak strain to backyard flocks of chicks and ducklings, according to the agency. Of 409 ill people interviewed, 303 (74%) of them reported having contact with chicks or ducklings, the CDC said.
People infected with salmonella reported getting the chicks and ducklings from farming stores, websites, hatcheries and other sources, according to the CDC. Three of the outbreak strains identified by the CDC were found in backyards in Kentucky and Oregon, the agency said.
More people are buying and keeping poultry in their backyards, the CDC said in March. It’s becoming more common for people to raise chicks, ducklings and other poultry as well as keep chickens at home for eggs and for that reason, the CDC advises people to know how to protect themselves from germs that come with caring for the birds.
The coronavirus pandemic drove many people to “panic-buy” chicks in the spring, the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reported. Egg prices spiked around the U.S. and many stores limited the amount of meat and eggs you could purchase at a time, so the logical step to most people was to buy live chickens.
The phenomenon of people buying more chicks often happens in times of economic downturn and in presidential election years, according to the New York Times. A musician in Texas said she bought chicks at the beginning of the pandemic because she found herself with a lot of extra time just as stores started to run low on eggs.
“I thought I’d get some chicks before everyone panics at once and buys them,” Amy Annelle told The Times. “We also wanted a fun project to keep us busy.”
Here’s what the CDC recommends to stay healthy when handling poultry:
Wash your hands
“Always wash your hands with soap and water right after touching backyard poultry, their eggs, or anything in the area where they live and roam.”
“Adults should supervise handwashing by young children.”
“Use hand sanitizer if soap and water are not readily available.”
Be safe around poultry
“Don’t kiss backyard poultry or snuggle them and then touch your face or mouth.”
“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.”
“Don’t eat or drink where poultry live or roam.”
“Stay outdoors when cleaning any equipment or materials used to raise or care for poultry, such as cages and containers for feed or water.”
Supervise kids around poultry
“Always supervise children around poultry and while they wash their hands.”
“Children younger than 5 years of age shouldn’t handle or touch chicks, ducklings, or other poultry. Young children are more likely to get sick from germs like Salmonella.”
Handle eggs safely
“Collect eggs often. Eggs that sit in the nest can become dirty or break.”
“Throw away cracked eggs. Germs on the shell can more easily enter the egg though a cracked shell.”
“Eggs with dirt and debris can be cleaned carefully with fine sandpaper, a brush, or a cloth.”
“Don’t wash warm, fresh eggs because colder water can pull germs into the egg.”
“Refrigerate eggs after collection to maintain freshness and slow germ growth.”
“Cook eggs until both the yolk and white are firm. Egg dishes should be cooked to an internal temperature of 160°F (71°C) or hotter. Raw and undercooked eggs may contain Salmonella bacteria that can make you sick.”