forbes.com - Don't snuggle with chickens, ducks, or geese. I know what you are thinking. There go your weekend plans. But your're not alone. Recently released Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) data suggest that too many people are getting too close to their feathered friends, and its resulting in Salmonellainfections and outbreaks.
Last year, 2016, was a record year for vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal cramps and fever...not from the Presidential election..but 895 people getting sick withSalmonella from interacting with birds. This year is already off to a flying start. From January 4 to May 3, at least 372 people got sick from handling pet ducks, chickens and geese. Eight multi-state outbreaks have occurred. So far, no deaths but over 70 hospitalizations have resulted. Keep in mind that these are just recorded cases. The actual number of cases is probably much higher, maybe 20 to 30 times higher. Most people who get Salmonella don't tell the authorities. They just suffer in silence and poo for several days with their ducks. Even if they see the doctor, they may not mention the warm embraces with chickens.
Salmonella infections are usually not life threatening, unless you have a weakened immune system. The bacteria typically enters through your mouth and cause symptoms to emerge 8 to 72 hours after infection and then several days of misery. While most patients don't need special treatment, when the vomiting and diarrhea lead to several dehydration or the bacteria enter your bloodstream, medical care is necessary.
Eggs can transmit salmonella too. Therefore, apply the same precautions to raw eggs. Wash your hands with soap and water thoroughly after touching them and don't snuggle with eggs. Don't let eggs sit in the nest for a long time, because they may get dirtier and dirtier and break, Removing eggs may result in an argument with the hen but c'est la vie. Don't wash eggs because cold water can actually cause bacteria to seep into the egg. Keep eggs refrigerated and for goodness sake, cook them thoroughly before eating them. You are not Rocky Balboa (if you have watched the first Rocky).
Having chickens, ducks, and geese can be fun, but take proper precautions. Having backyard flocks seems to be an increasing trend (as Diana Hembree writes here for Forbes) but does require hard work and the proper precautions. Give your ducks, chickens, and geese their space. Remember birds can be like boy bands. They may look cute but could make you sick.
This risk means be careful with your winged friends. Yes, ducks, ducks, and geese may seem to understand you. They may not argue with you about politics or yell at you to take out the trash. But despite how fuzzy and fluffy they may appear, they are not harmless and like some passive aggressive people don't always tell you what they really think. They along with chickens can carry a lot of bacteria, don't typically use hand sanitzer, and won't tell you when they are sick. Just like with people, looks can be very deceiving. Many birds don't have obvious symptoms when they are infected with Salmonella. The cleanest looking birds and people can in actuality be very, very filthy.
In general, you want to be careful about giving people and yourself the bird. Wash your hands thoroughly after touching birds or anything they pooped in or touched. Don't kiss birds, share food with them, or eat very closely to them. They may surreptitiously eat your food or even worse poop in it, something good roommates usually don't do. Don't let fowl into your bathrooms. They may contaminate areas (e.g., toothbrush, soap, faucet, towels, and medications) that touch your mouth and other sensitive areas and are very bad on putting the toilet seat down. Keep birds away from kids who are younger than 5 years, adults (and kids) older than 65 years of age, and anyone else who may have a weaker immune system (e.g., chronic disease). Salmonella can be especially devastating and deadly among such people. In fact, you probably want to keep chickens, ducks, and geese outside your house, because you can't really control where they go. (ontinueReading
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