RELATED: Never Go in a Lake If You See This One Thing, Local Officials Warn. It appears that now is not the time to pucker up for poultry. In a statement released on May 20, the CDC warned that touching or handling live chickens or ducks could put you at risk of a serious bacterial infection. “Don’t kiss or snuggle backyard poultry, and don’t eat or drink around them,” the agency cautioned in their statement. “This can spread salmonella germs to your mouth and make you sick,” even if the birds appear to be healthy and clean. As of May 24, the CDC reports that the current salmonella outbreak has led to 163 reported illnesses and 34 hospitalizations across 43 states since January. But the past year saw a sudden uptick in infections, with the agency reporting in December that “the number of illnesses reported (in 2020) was higher than the number reported during any of the past years’ outbreaks linked to backyard flocks.“ae0fcc31ae342fd3a1346ebb1f342fcb According to the CDC, the most common Salmonella symptoms include diarrhea that is bloody or lasts more than three days, a fever above 102 degrees Fahrenheit, vomiting, and stomach cramps. Symptoms usually start anywhere from six hours to six days after infection and last four to seven days before clearing up. However, the agency cautions that some may not see any symptoms for several weeks after they’ve been infected and that some may not recover for several weeks. RELATED: Never Eat Leftovers That’ve Been in the Fridge This Long, Experts Warn. While most cases of Salmonella poisoning can resolve themselves without medical treatment, some are more susceptible to serious complications from infections. This includes children under the age of five, adults 65 years and older, and anyone with a weakened immune system, the CDC warns. “Always supervise children around backyard poultry and make sure they wash their hands properly afterward,” the agency advised in its statement. “Don’t let children younger than five years touch chicks, ducklings, or other backyard poultry.” On top of resisting the urge to cuddle or kiss your fowl friends, the CDC also suggests putting hand sanitizer near coops and washing your hands anytime you’ve handled the birds or been in their living environment. They also suggest cleaning any eggs properly and storing them in the refrigerator as soon as you gather them. “Rub off dirt on eggs with fine sandpaper, a brush, or a cloth. Don’t wash them because colder water can pull germs into the egg,” the CDC advised. RELATED: You Should Never Clean Your Toilet With This, Experts Warn.
