|
For immediate release: Feb. 20, 2018 (18-026)
Contact:
Liz Coleman,
Environmental Public Health 360-481-2016
Jessica
Baggett, Disease Control and Health Statistics 360-338-5630
Largest
Salmonella outbreak linked to live poultry
OLYMPIA -- Nationally, 2017 had more Salmonella cases linked to backyard poultry than ever recorded by
the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Federal health officials tracked 1,120 cases
involving 48 states and D.C.
In Washington, 23 cases associated with this
outbreak were reported to state health officials. This is more than double the
number of cases of Salmonella
associated with backyard poultry outbreaks in the previous two years combined.
Salmonella can cause serious illness. You can get the infection
from a variety of sources, including eating contaminated food or drinking
water, touching infected animals and not washing your hands. While anyone can get a Salmonella
infection, children are especially at risk of illness because they are less
likely to wash their hands and have more frequent hand-to-mouth contact than
adults.
Owning backyard poultry can be a great experience. Anyone
looking to restock or start their backyard flocks this spring should keep the following
tips in mind:
- Always wash
hands with soap and water right after touching live poultry or anything in the
area where they live and roam. Even healthy-looking chickens, ducks, geese, and
turkeys can carry the Salmonella
bacteria.
- Don’t
snuggle or kiss live poultry or allow them in family living spaces.
- Adults should supervise young
children when handling live poultry.
For more information on safe live poultry handling
and the health risks associated with Salmonella,
visit the DOH website.
###
|
