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Tag: Poultry

Bird Flu is Back

Posted on by Karen Blakeslee
chicken
Photo: Canva.com

Currently, the H5N1 bird flu has been detected in over 1,000 wild birds in 36 states. The impact on commercial poultry facilities and backyard flocks has grown to 37 million birds in 34 states.

The best way to avoid bird flu is to avoid exposure. While people rarely get infected by bird flu, it can happen if it gets in your eyes, nose, mouth or inhaled by breathing. The virus can transmit via air, water droplets, or even dust. If any wild or domestic birds look sick, avoid direct contact when possible. If you touch or handle any sick or dead birds, always wash your hands with soap and water and wear respiratory protection or facemask.

For more information on bird flu, see the bird flu resources from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

 

Salmonella Linked to Backyard Poultry Flocks

Posted on by Karen Blakeslee
In 2016, a record number of illnesses were linked to flocks of backyard poultry.

As of May 25, 2017, 372 people have been infected with strains of Salmonella traced to backyard poultry flocks. Of these people, 71 have been hospitalized and 36 percent are children under the age of five years old.

Raising poultry at home has been common in rural locations for years. Small numbers of poultry are allowed within urban city limits. But care must be taken when caring for the flock and handling the birds.

  • Always wash your hands after handling the birds or any equipment where they live.
  • Do not let birds inside the home or around areas of food preparation or serving.
  • While baby chicks are cute, do not snuggle or kiss them.
  • Clean poultry related equipment outdoors.
  • Collect eggs often. Wash your hands after handling eggs. Refrigerate them after collection.

For more information on this outbreak, see https://www.cdc.gov/zoonotic/gi/outbreaks/livepoultry.html.

 

Backyard Poultry Safety

Posted on by Karen Blakeslee

Baby chicksMore people are choosing to raise poultry, such as chickens or ducks, as part of a greener, healthier lifestyle. However, it’s important to consider the risk of illness, especially for children, from handling live poultry or anything in the area where they live and roam.

It’s common for chickens, ducks, and other poultry to carry Salmonella, a type of germ that naturally lives in the intestines of poultry and many other animals. Even organically fed poultry can have Salmonella. While it usually doesn’t make the birds sick, Salmonella can cause serious illness when it is passed to people.

Always wash your hands with soap and water right after touching live poultry or anything in the area where they live and roam. Adults should supervise hand washing for young children. Use hand sanitizer if soap and water are not readily available.

Source: www.foodsafety.gov/blog/2016/07/keeping-backyard-poultry.html

 

 

 

Reference to any specific commercial products, process, service, manufacturer, or company does not constitute its endorsement or recommendation. Paid for by Kansas State University