Pet Poultry Causes Increase in Salmonella Infections, Hospitalizing 465 People and Killing One

The U. S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported last Wednesday how, after interaction with pet chickens and other poultry, 465 persons got sick, and one died from salmonella infection. The most recent Salmonella outbreak killed one individual and confined 86 people in the hospital.

According to the CDC, starting May 20, 2020, a total of 368 people have been reported sick, which brings the total of salmonella infections related to poultry this year to 465 in 42 US states. This figure is rough twice the rate of last year's infections during this same time.

The CDC reported hospitalizations of 86 people, with one person dying from the bacteria in Oklahoma. Roughly one-third of the people who got sick from the infection are young children below five years old.

The main reason for the high rate of infection is the rising popularity of backyard poultry flock raising. The increased interest has been expressed in the hobby as people start to get curious about where and how they get their food. However, more than an interest in fresh eggs or meat is involved. People are getting interested because they want companionship with the birds. They enjoy having poultry around for their emotional well-being, for the same reason that others get dogs and cats.

The interest in taking care of these birds was seen during the start of the pandemic from the COVID-19 virus when hatcheries all over the country got swamped with orders for chicks. One hatchery reports that they have never seen a spike in interest of this magnitude, even if they have been operating since 1964.

Although the rise in orders was to get chicken meat and eggs in order to survive the lockdown, the hobby still has lots of people wanting the chickens as pets.

Having backyard coops may be educational and fun, but there is also the need to be aware of how to stay safe from diseases that can be transmitted from birds to humans. These diseases are known as zoonoses. The CDC says that taking care of poultry as pets is quite different from having pet dogs and cats.

Accordingly, the CDC issues regular warnings and notices regarding the health risks posed by salmonella infections coming from poultry. It reported that over 12 outbreaks of the infection had been documented since 2011.

 The salmonella bacteria occurs typically in the digestive systems of poultry. These harmful bacteria are passed in their feces, contaminating their feathers, eggs, and the surrounding environment. This is normal for chicken, and they sometimes do not get ill from them. Meanwhile, people with a salmonella infection can indeed be life-threatening. It causes diarrhea, stomach cramps, and other severe symptoms. Some people even die from it.

In this regard, the CDC advises that children should not touch live chickens and other poultry, because they are in more serious risk from a severe illness compared to adults. In addition, the CDC suggests that people with backyard coops should wear separate items of clothing, particularly shoes, when entering the area where their flocks are so that they will not bring any harmful bacteria with them as they go back to their home.

The CDC also advises washing hands and proper disinfection after handling poultry and tells people not to snuggle or kiss these animals.