“Don’t kiss or snuggle backyard poultry, and don’t eat or drink around them,” said the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The US health authorities, faced with the rapid increase in cases of salmonellosis, made a recommendation that, despite its seriousness, made many people smile: they asked American citizens to stop hugging or kissing their hens.
“Don’t kiss or snuggle backyard poultry, and don’t eat or drink around them. This can spread Salmonella germs to your mouth and make you sick,” says the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
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According to the CDC, the increase in salmonellosis cases is partly due to this “tenderness” shown by poultry owners to their birds.
As of mid-February, 163 cases had been reported and 34 people needed to be treated.
“From the interviews given by the patients, it appears that contact with birds was most likely the source of the epidemic, ” the Centers said.
Although they look clean and healthy, chickens, ducks and other birds can be carriers of salmonella, a bacterium that causes diarrhea, fever and vomiting.
The CDC advised citizens to wash their hands thoroughly after coming into contact with birds and not to encourage children to play with them.
The agency also warned that if you have any of these severe signs and symptoms, you should consult your doctor immediately:
- Diarrhea and a fever higher than 102°F
- Diarrhea for more than 3 days that is not improving
- Bloody diarrhea
- So much vomiting that you cannot keep liquids down
- Signs of dehydration, such as:
- Not urinating (peeing) much
- Dry mouth and throat
- Feeling dizzy when standing up
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Usually, the infection comes from eating eggs or dairy products. Thousands of cases are reported each year, but they are rarely fatal.
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