With Easter right around the corner and many individuals giving baby chickens as pets to young children, the CDC published an article warning of the risk of Salmonella contamination from baby chickens and other poultry. The article was appropriately entitled “Risk of Human Salmonella Infections from Live Baby Poultry.”
Live poultry can be a source of Salmonella foodborne illness. Salmonella food poisoning has been linked to not only chickens, including baby chicks, but also other common household pets including other poultry, turtles, lizards, snakes and frogs. The Salmonella bacteria transmission may occur when an individual comes in contact with animal feces which is infected with Salmonella. Children often put their hands or toys in their mouths and if they haven’t properly disinfected their hands, they can ingest the Salmonella bacteria.
Salmonella is a bacteria which can lead to Salmonellosis food poisoning. Diarrhea, fever, and abdominal pain are common Salmonellosis symptoms. Salmonellosis symptoms emerge within three days of exposure and can last up to a week. In rare cases, the Salmonella bacteria may enter a food poisoning victim’s bloodstream requiring treatment with antibiotics. Salmonellosis can also lead to a condition known as reactive arthritis. Salmonella victims can suffer with joint pain and eye irritation following infection.
Richard J. Arsenault, 2010
