Salmonella outbreak reported after people cuddle, kiss chickens
Jul 2, 2015, 1:36 PM | Updated: Jul 3, 2015, 12:16 pm
The CDC recommends not cuddling with your chickens. This will be news to KIRO Radio's John Curley, who truly loves his fowl. (Photo courtesy John Curley)
(Photo courtesy John Curley)
Investigators with the Center for Disease Control are looking into multiple outbreaks of Salmonella that are believed to have been caused by contact with chickens — close contact.
The CDC reports that many people came down with the sickness after cuddling and kissing the live birds. People also report letting the birds wander around their homes.
Baby chicks and chickens were purchased from feed stores and backyard pens for pets, meat or egg production.
The CDC recommends not hugging or kissing chickens, and not letting them into the house, which greatly increases the chances of infection.
“Do not snuggle or kiss the birds, touch your mouth, or eat or drink around live poultry,” the CDC website states.
As of June 28, there have been 181 reports of Salmonella infections across 40 states. A total of 33 people were so severely ill they were hospitalized, and 86 percent of people with the illness report having contact with live chickens or chicks within a week of falling sick.
The CDC has narrowed the cases down to four separate outbreaks with four different strains of Salmonella.
Six cases of Salmonella have been reported in Washington, and five in neighboring Oregon. Alabama and Ohio have the most reported cases with 17 and 15 respectively.
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