Baby Chicks and Ducklings: These Cute, Little Creatures Can Cause Salmonellosis
Minnesota health officials have identified 7 cases of salmonellosis (illness caused by Salmonella) in recent months that are associated with handling chicks or ducklings. The cases occurred from late March through late May 2008 and ranged in age from 5 months to 70 years. Two of those who became ill, a 5-month old and a 42-year old, were hospitalized for 2 and 3 days, respectively.
According to a Minnesota Department of Health news release:
All of the infections were caused by Salmonella Montevideo, which previously has been associated with chick contact. One of the individuals purchased chicks by mail order; the others purchased chicks or ducklings at a variety of poultry distributors throughout the state. While the cases shared the same type of Salmonella, any chick or duck can carry Salmonella of a variety of different types.
“In a typical year, a handful of the approximately 700 Salmonella infections diagnosed in Minnesotans are linked to contact with chicks and ducklings,” Scheftel said. “However, young children are especially at risk and are also more likely to develop serious complications from Salmonella infections. So it’s important for people to be aware that if they’ve had or are having diarrhea with fever and have had contact with chicks or ducks, they should consult their health care provider.”
How Chicks Spread Salmonella
From the Minnesota Department of Health news release:
Salmonella is a type of bacteria that is carried in the intestines of animals and can be shed into the environment. People typically become infected after eating contaminated foods or from contact with animals or their environments. Chicks, ducklings, and other poultry are a recognized source of Salmonella, especially for children.
People get Salmonella from poultry by hand to mouth contact. Usually this happens when people handle birds or their droppings and then accidentally touch their mouths or forget to wash their hands before eating or drinking. Even birds that do not look sick may be shedding Salmonella. And even though a bird looks clean, it may still have microscopic amounts of germs on its feathers or feet.
Minnesota Department of Health Recommendations
Whether you raise chicks or ducklings as a source of food or keep them as pets, follow these steps to protect yourself and your family from illness:
- Do not let children less than 5 years of age handle poultry.
- Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water after handling poultry or their droppings.
- Do not eat or drink around poultry or their living areas.
- Do not let poultry live inside your home.
- Do not wash the birds' food and water dishes in the kitchen sink.
