Owl Pellets and Salmonella
According to a story by CBS4 Boston published today, the source of the Salmonella outbreak at Jefferson Elementary School in Franklin, Massachusetts, was owl pellets used for a science experiment. Owl pellets have been the source of Salmonella outbreaks at schools in the past. In an article published in Vector-Borne and Zoonotic Diseases, a scientific journal, researchers studied two Salmonella outbreaks associated with owl pellets.
Salmonella enterica serotype Typhimurium outbreaks occurred at two elementary schools after science club students dissected owl pellets. Forty primary cases were identified (26 culture-confirmed). At the first school, pellets were dissected on a cafeteria table, concurrent with after-school child care in the cafeteria. Subsequently, the table was not sanitized before use by after-school care students for snack, or before the next school lunch. At the second school, pellets were dissected in a dedicated science room, and fewer cases occurred. Pellets in both outbreaks originated from a single captive barred owl. The outbreak pulsed-field gel electrophoresis subtype of S. Typhimurium was isolated from the owl's pellets and feces, and from four frozen chicks from a batch used to feed the owl. Vector-Borne Zoonotic Dis. 5, 133-136.
Given the well documented cases of Salmonella poisoning from owl pellets, the teacher and administrators at Jefferson Elementary should have been more careful. According to the CBS story, the Massachusetts Department of Health says it will issue new guidelines this fall on the dissection of owl pellets in school. New guidelines will be welcome, but it should not take state guidelines for schools to act responsibly.
Sources:
- Dr. Kirk E. Smith, Fred Anderson, Carlota Medus, Fe Leano, Jennifer Adams, "Outbreaks of Salmonellosis at Elementary Schools Associated with Dissection of Owl Pellets," Vector-Borne and Zoonotic Diseases, Vol. 5, No. 2, June 2005: 133-136.
- "DPH: Owl waste experiment sickened Franklin kids," http://cbs4boston.com, July 6, 2006.
I have rescued birds of prey for many years, and have have the salmonella poisoning many times from wild owls and other birds of prey I dissect pellets, handle all birds with out gloves most times, also have had infections from the claws of the birds, all this is my own falt I know and I understand the risk I am taking, I know the pain in the lower stomach you feel as if you have had a hot knife slid into you very slowly, If I open up a pellet at any school I place a plastic sheet over the table first then wipe the table with a salution of vet's disinfectant ,I own the Manyhoots owl rescue centre in England www.manyhoots.org
Keep up the good work regards Dave