As more and more people realize the health benefits of raising their own free range chickens for meat and eggs, the popularity of backyard chickens has risen, as has the popularity of obtaining chicken products from flock owners at Farmer’s Markets and the like. There are also those who cannot deny the cuteness factor of baby chicks or ducks and purchase them for their children or take children to the nearest petting zoo or county fair to mingle with the animals and birds. If this speaks to your situation, take heed that warnings have been issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention along with veterinarians, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, and state agricultural officials. It seems that as of July 1, 2015 live poultry had been the culprit in 82 of 95 people struck with an outbreak of Salmonella infections.
There are safety precautions that can be followed by those coming into any type of contact with live poultry. As is the case with protecting oneself from any type of infection, it is vital to wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water after having contact with the live poultry or anything else where the birds live and hang out. Also take heed that it is unsafe to ever bring live poultry in your home, even in the case of those cute chicks and duckies your children love as pets. Be sure to follow the advice of the agricultural feed store, mail order hatchery or any other venue selling you the live poultry as they are urged to provide health-related tips and warnings regarding Salmonella infections.
If you or a loved one has suffered Salmonella infection after coming in contact with live poultry, seek the advice of your medical practitioner right away and be a smart, healthy consumer who heeds the warnings associated with the live poultry world. Inserra & Kelley Law Offices desires the utmost health and safety for all of you and is available to answer your questions and concerns regarding the navigation of consumer dangers.