The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is urging people to be on the lookout for salmonella outbreaks linked to backyard poultry such as chickens, roosters, chicks and ducks after they have been linked to more than 200 illnesses from the bacteria so far this year.
Backyard poultry, such as chickens and ducks, can carry salmonella germs even if they look healthy and clean, the agency said.
These germs can easily spread to any area where poultry lives and roams.
People, he said, can get sick by touching backyard poultry or anything in their environment and then touching their mouth or food and swallowing salmonella germs.
So far, 219 illnesses have been reported in 38 states, including California, and 27 people have been hospitalized, while one in four sick people are children under 5 years old.
The outbreak has already claimed the life of one person in Tennessee, so the agency is calling for vigilance for possible infections.
"The actual number of ill people is likely much higher than the number reported because many people recover without medical care and are not tested for Salmonella," the CDC said.
These outbreaks occur annually and coincide with the increase in purchases of poultry hatchlings, starting in the spring. Last year, in 2021, a total of 1,135 people became ill from contact with backyard poultry.
It is important to note that these salmonella outbreaks are not related to recent cases of H5N1 avian influenza viruses detected in wild birds and poultry in the U.S. However, backyard poultry owners should be aware that the steps needed to stay healthy around their flocks are similar for both diseases.
It should be noted that most people infected with salmonella develop diarrhea, fever and stomach cramps between 6 hours and 6 days after being exposed to the bacteria.
The illness usually lasts 4 to 7 days and most people recover without treatment, however, in some people, the illness may be so severe that the patient is hospitalized.
Children under 5 years of age, adults 65 years of age or older, and people with weakened immune systems are more likely to have severe illness, so if you notice any of the symptoms listed, it is necessary to call and go to your nearest health care center.
Some of the measures to enjoy your birds while keeping them healthy are:
- Always wash your hands for 20 seconds after touching birds, their supplies, or collecting eggs.
- Wear a pair of shoes or boots exclusively for your coop and do not wear them indoors.
- Keep birds and supplies out of the house to prevent the spread of germs in your home.
- Don't let children under 5 touch birds — including chicks and ducklings — or anything in the area where birds live and roam. This helps protect young children from getting sick, since their immune systems are still developing and they're more likely to put objects in their mouths or not wash their hands well.
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