Federal health officials have confirmed that at least 34 people across 13 states have been sickened in a Salmonella outbreak linked to backyard poultry. The CDC reports that 13 individuals have been hospitalised, with children under the age of five accounting for 41% of all cases. Notably, lab testing has identified strains resistant to multiple common antibiotics, raising concerns about limited treatment options for severe infections.
Backyard poultry includes chickens, ducks, geese, guinea fowl and turkeys. The animals can carry germs, including Salmonella, that make people sick.
Cases were reported in states including Florida, Illinois, Kentucky, Maryland, Ohio, Wisconsin and West Virginia.
What is salmonella infection?
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Salmonella infection is a common bacterial disease that affects the intestinal tract. The salmonella bacteria typically live in animal and human intestines and are shed through faeces. Usually, while coming in contact with contaminated water or food, the infection spreads to humans.
Most people develop diarrhoea, fever and stomach (abdominal) cramps within 8 to 72 hours after exposure. Most healthy people recover within a few days to a week without specific treatment.
In some cases, diarrhoea can cause severe dehydration and require prompt medical attention. Life-threatening complications also may develop if the infection spreads beyond the intestines.
Symptoms of salmonella include diarrhoea, vomiting, nausea, fever, blood in the stool, headache, chills and stomachache.
How to prevent the spread of the infection
From safely preparing food to hand-washing, a few simple ways could prevent the spread of the infection.
*Wash your hands: Ensure that you wash your hands with soap and water for 20 seconds after using the toilet, diaper change, handling raw poultry, cleaning up pet faeces, and touching pets or other animals and their habitats.
*Keeping things separate to prevent cross-contamination: Store raw meat, poultry and seafood away from other foods in your refrigerator.
*Wash food preparation surfaces thoroughly with soap and water.
*Never place cooked food on an unwashed plate that previously held raw meat.
*Avoid eating raw eggs
*Cook and store food properly