The prolonged social isolation and staying indoors owing to lockdown have prompted many US residents to have their own backyard poultry farm.
Warnings Issued By CDC Against Salmonella Outbreaks In Poultry
Having an own farm not only ensures a regular availability of eggs but also proved a hobby and companionship.
Latest warnings issued by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
The CDC has issued the latest warning for poultry farms grown in people’s backyard.
According to CDC, these chickens might be responsible for the emerging salmonella outbreak in the states.
The recent notice was published by the CDC on Thursday that suggests people not have physical contact with the chickens, not to cuddle or kiss them.
It further advises not to consume any food or drinks around them, because of which germs may enter the body and make people sick.
Which factors raised the SOS call?
The alert was issued, followed by a probe that found 163 patients suffering from salmonella infection.
The infection was traced in patients across 43 states.
Although the bacterial infection did not cause any fatality, it induced serious sickness.
About one-third of the total confirmed salmonella infection cases were observed in infants below five years of age.
Further, inspection is underway on the matter, said The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
The details of the latest CDC guidelines.
The advisory states that children should not be left unsupervised around the poultry.
It should be made sure that children properly wash themselves followed by any physical contact with the chickens.
The latest CDC guidelines further state that children below five years of age should be completely refrained from coming into physical proximity or contact with any kind of poultry including, chickens, ducks, and ducklings.
Symptoms of the salmonella infection.
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention warns people about the probable symptoms of salmonella infection that include diarrhea, fever, and stomach cramps.
However, it is not limited to these symptoms and can cause infections throughout the body.
These symptoms usually appear anywhere between 6 hours to 6 days from contracting the infection and can persist in the body for 4-7 days.
There are exceptions as some people may not exhibit any symptoms for prolonged weeks after contracting the infection, while for others, the symptoms may last for many weeks.
The individuals most susceptible to hospitalization followed by the infection are children below the age of 5 years, elders above the age of 65 years, and those who have compromised immunity, as stated by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention.
Records of the past.
The warnings were issued, followed by an investigation that proved backyard poultry to be the primary responsible factor for the salmonella outbreak that took place in 2020.
In 2020, there were 1722 confirmed infections, 333 patients being admitted to hospitals, and one death. Notices were issued back then after it was found that the salmonella infection is the main cause of sickness among the patients.
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention stated that the number of cases reported in 2020 caused by salmonella infection from domesticated poultry was higher than any of the previous years.
Apart from keeping children under supervision, for individuals with domesticated flocks, the CDC further recommends washing hands, installing hand sanitizers within the poultry coops alongside cleaning and refrigerating the eggs.
For cleaning the eggs, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention issues specific guidelines.
It is recommended to clean the eggs by rubbing them with sandpapers, a cloth, or a brush.
Washing the eggs should be avoided as the germs can get pulled within the eggs if they come in contact with cold water.
