LANSING, MI— Multiple states are dealing with a salmonella outbreak caused by baby poultry.
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services says there are 184 people in 31 states reported with three different strains of salmonella bacteria. More than a quarter of outbreak cases are among children less than 5 years old. Michigan is reporting 21 cases, 29 percent of which are children. In the largest outbreak, many are reporting contact with ducklings.
MDHHS is working with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and other health departments to trace where backyard poultry may have been purchased to determine a source of the outbreak.
Health officials say people should follow these recommendations to protect themselves and others:
- Children younger than 5 years old, older adults or people with weakened immune systems should not handle or touch chicks, ducklings or other poultry because they are more likely to become severely ill.
- Remain outdoors when cleaning any equipment associated with raising or caring for poultry, such as cages, feed, water containers and other materials.
- Wash hands thoroughly with soap and water before and after touching birds or anything in their environment. Adults should supervise hand washing for young children.
- If hands cannot immediately be washed, use hand sanitizer until they can be washed thoroughly with soap and water.
- Always keep poultry away from areas where food or drink is prepared, served or stored, such as kitchens or outdoor patios.
- Do not kiss or snuggle backyard poultry, especially the chicks.
- Do not eat, drink or touch anything to your mouth without thoroughly washing hands after handling poultry or something from their environment.
- Do not keep live poultry inside the house where people live, eat or sleep.
- Do not give live baby poultry as gifts to young children.
