More people are now getting salmonella for reasons we’ve noted on AHD multiple times: showing too much love for their backyard chickens. Last year, 23 percent of the people who reported contracting salmonella from homegrown fowl had recently kissed their chickens (seven percent) or snuggled them (16 percent), shares Dr. Megin Nichols. Nichols investigates salmonella and E. coli outbreaks at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Source: Atlas Obscura, February 7, 2018.
Chickens don’t actually show outward signs of being contaminated, since long-ago adaptations mean the bacteria doesn’t harm them. Often, humans come into contact with salmonella as they clean coops or gather eggs. Then, after touching their mouths or faces, ingested germs can cause fever, diarrhea, and in severe cases, death. The surging popularity of backyard coops has resulted in more instances of salmonella illnesses and outbreaks.
INSIGHTS: Animal health pros in all categories must assertively inform the public. Share this article with local media, through social media, on websites and in newsletters. Retailers need to include warnings when selling baby chicks or ducklings year-around.