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Zoonotic Diseases
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Office of
Environmental Health, Safety, and Toxicology
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Salmonella from Chicks and Ducklings
Chicks, ducklings, and germs
Young poultry may have Salmonella bacteria on their bodies, even
when they are healthy and look clean. The germs also get on cages and
other things the birds touch. Salmonella bacteria on your hands
can spread to other people, surfaces, or infect you - if you don't wash
up.
You can get sick
Anyone can get a Salmonella infection, which can cause serious
illness. 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.
Symptoms of Salmonella infection begin about one to three days
after exposure and include diarrhea, fever, and stomach pain. Illness
usually lasts four to seven days and most people will recover without
medical treatment. However, in some people the symptoms may be so severe
that medical treatment or a stay in the hospital is needed. Infants,
children, the elderly, and people with weakened immune systems are more
likely to experience severe illness. Call your health care provider, if
you or your child has a high fever, severe diarrhea, or other symptoms
that concern you.
Prevent the spread of Salmonella
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Wash hands
with soap and water after touching chicks and ducklings.
It is the single most important thing you can do!
When soap and water are not available, alcohol-based hand
wipes and gel sanitizers may be used. Sanitizers may not be
as effective if hands are too dirty. Clean off as much dirt
as possible before using sanitizers.
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Young poultry
are not good pets for children under 5 years old.
Raising poultry can be a great experience, but
sometimes adults make the mistake of giving a chick or
duckling to a young child as a spontaneous gift. Young
poultry given as pets to children often don't survive, and
if they do, they aren't as cute and cuddly when they're
adults. Young children are also more at risk from severe
illness from
Salmonella.
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Supervise
children when handling poultry.
Don't allow children to nuzzle or kiss chicks and
ducklings, touch their mouths with their hands, or eat and
drink while handling birds.
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Keep young
poultry away from family living spaces.
Keep birds and their equipment out of the
kitchen. Disinfect areas where feeders, water containers,
and cages are cleaned.
 Order
materials
Order free educational materials to share with your community. Materials
are available in English and Spanish. View, print, or order the "After
You Touch a Duck or Chick, Wash Your Hands, So You Don't Get Sick"
handout,
poster,
chick sticker, and
duck sticker.
More information
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Salmonella Outbreaks
In the past decade, numerous
Salmonella outbreaks have been associated with handling chicks.
One large outbreak affected over 22 residents from Washington and Oregon.
About half of those who got sick were children younger than 13 years old.
In 2011, nearly 40 people from 15 states were infected with
Salmonella linked to poultry from a mail-order hatchery.
Learn more about the
Salmonella outbreak and CDC's investigation. |
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Eggs
Raising chickens or other poultry in the
backyard is a growing trend. To ensure a positive experience, keep the
birds, and you and your family, healthy. Get tips on
egg safety.
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