Backyard Chicken Salmonella Outbreak: Officially Over 1000 Victims
It is not entirely uncommon for folks living even in residential areas to raise chickens and harvest eggs from them. Unfortunately though, thus far in 2019 it is becoming overwhelmingly common for residents raising chickens in their backyard or coming into close contact with these chickens to be contracting salmonella. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that over 1,000 Americans have been infected with salmonella related to backyard chickens this year. As of September 4, this number was officially at 1,003 total cases reported.
Of these reported cases, there have been two deaths and around 175 patients requiring hospitalization due to salmonellosis. Almost a fifth of all those infected are children younger than five, an especially dangerous factor since children are much more prone to serious injury from salmonellosis. The salmonella cases have been reported in at least 49 states, with infections being reported in across the nation. Two deaths have been reported.
Avoiding Salmonella Infection: Avoid Close Contact with These Pets
Salmonella affects those who come into contact with the infectious bacteria. Recent reports nationwide have urged residents to avoid “kissing or cuddling” poultry in backyard, hatchery, or retail settings as a precaution to avoid contact with the bacteria, as this is believed to be a leading cause in exposing especially the younger portion of those infected. Those who do become sick after contact will usually develop symptoms affecting the stomach within one to three after exposure. This symptoms include diarrhea, stomach cramps, and fever, and can last up to about a week. Those with weaker immune systems, like children, elderly, and those with compromised immune systems are especially vulnerable for more serious cases that could turn fatal without proper treatment.
More often than not, salmonella cases occur as a result of consuming under-cooked poultry. But as one Backyard Chicken Salmonella Lawyer warns, “it is important for all to keep in mind that this is not the only way to come into contact with the disease. Anyone handling chickens should keep them away from your face and away from where you or others are likely to eat, and wash your hands immediately after handling chickens.”
