2 state agencies warn of risk of human Salmonella infection from Easter chicks, ducklings

With Easter comes the temptation to bring fuzzy chicks or ducklings into your menagerie.

But two state agencies warn that there is a risk of Salmonella infection from handling the animals.

Although people raise poultry for meat or egg production, many children receive baby poultry as a gift during Easter. Families also enjoy taking their children to the local feed store to view and touch the chicks and ducklings.

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment and Kansas Department of Agriculture warn of the risk of human Salmonella infection from live poultry.

They may be look adorable next to the East basket, but live baby poultry can carry Salmonella and easily spread this bacterium to people, especially children. During 2013 a large, multi-state outbreak of human Salmonella Typhimurium infections were linked to live poultry.

More than 350 people were infected from 39 states; Kansas tied for third with 19 confirmed cases. Nationally, nearly 60 percent of the cases were in children 10 years or younger. Ninety-five percent of ill people reported purchasing live poultry from agricultural feed stores.

Two state agencies warn of risk of human Salmonella infection from live poultry, often when children receive chicks or ducklings at Easter.

“Live baby poultry can carry, and shed, Salmonella but still appear healthy,” said Acting KDHE Secretary Susan Mosier. Children can be exposed through direct contact, such as holding, cuddling or kissing the birds, but also by touching things where the birds live. This includes cages, feed, bedding, and water bowls. “It is particularly important to wash hands thoroughly with soap and water after handling or caring for baby poultry. This, along with careful cleaning of equipment and materials associated with raising or caring for live poultry, will help to reduce the risk of infection,” Mosier said.

To reduce the risk of Salmonella infection from live poultry:

  • Wash hands thoroughly with soap and water right after touching live baby poultry or anything in the area where they live and roam. Use hand sanitizer if soap and water are not readily available. Adults should supervise hand washing for young children.
  • Clean any equipment or materials associated with raising or caring for live poultry outside the house, such as cages or feed or water containers.
  • Don’t let children younger than 5, older adults or people with weak immune systems handle or touch chicks, ducklings or other live poultry.
  • Don’t snuggle or kiss the birds, touch your mouth or eat or drink around live poultry.
  • Don’t let live poultry inside the house, in bathrooms, or especially in areas where food or drink is prepared, served or stored, such as kitchens or outdoor patios.
  • Don’t eat or drink in the area where the birds live or roam.
  • Don’t give live baby poultry as gifts to young children.

The CDC’s website provides additional information and resources for preventing Salmonella illnesses from live poultry.