The Centers for Disease Control says more than 370 people have reported Salmonella infections from backyard flocks this year, and more than one-third of them were children under five years old. The CDC is reporting eight separate outbreaks across 47 states in backyard flocks. These outbreaks are expected to continue for the next several months, according to a public warning issued last week by the CDC. Public health officials interviewed 228 of the sick people and 190, or 83 percent, reported contact with live poultry in the week before they became ill. While contracting Salmonella and other bacteria from live poultry are relatively easy, the preventive measures recommended by public health officials are also easy but must be practiced diligently. The CDC recommends hand washing after handling live poultry, not allowing live poultry in the house, not allowing children under five to handle poultry without supervision, and the CDC says “do not snuggle or kiss the birds, touch your mouth, or eat or drink around live poultry.”
From the National Association of Farm Broadcasting News Service.