SALMONELLA WARNING ISSUED ON HANDLING CHICKS, DUCKS

A notice about the possibility of contracting salmonella from handling baby chicks and ducks sold as Easter gifts should serve as a reminder of the importance of hand-washing all year long, health and pet experts say.

The Missouri Department of Health issued a reminder Wednesday that an outbreak of salmonella in the state last year, including four cases in Southeast Missouri, were linked to the handling of baby chicks and ducks. Around Easter last year 40 people were diagnosed with salmonella illness and 80 percent of those reported exposure to baby poultry.

Salmonella is a bacteria that, when ingested by humans, can cause diarrhea, fever and abdominal cramping. The most common complication is dehydration caused by the diarrhea, which can be especially dangerous for young children, the elderly and those with a compromised immune system, said Vicky McDowell, communicable-disease coordinator with the Cape Girardeau County Public Health Center.

"Poultry is a common carrier of salmonella, which is often passed through the feces," said Ann Elledge, environmental public-health specialist with the Cape Girardeau County Public Health Center. "The chicks and ducks poop in their box and get it on their feet or feathers. Then a child plays with that chick then picks up and eats some Easter candy."

That's why hand-washing is so important, she said.

And it's not just after handling poultry: There are many types of bacteria transmitted by many types of animals, from dogs and cats to turtles and lizards, even goldfish.

"Basically any time you handle an animal you should wash your hands afterward," Elledge said.

That doesn't mean dipping your pinkies in a little water. It needs to be warm, soapy water, and you need to scrub for at least 20 seconds, Elledge said.

Bill Brinkopf, owner of Sunny Hill Pet Center, which is expecting a shipment of baby chicks and ducks next week, said he tries to emphasize to customers the importance of proper pet care, including hand-washing.

"It's really just common sense," he said, "but we tell people that whether it's rabbits or reptiles or birds or fish, they need to wash their hands after handling them."

Brinkopf said chicks and ducks are not as popular as Easter gifts these days because more people live in urban settings that make it more difficult to care for animals.

Ken Brink, store manager at Orscheln Farm and Home, said his store has chicks and ducklings in stock. He said that last year the store sold about 700 birds, but many of those were to people who raise chickens for eggs or meat.

He said most urban residents don't have adequate space or equipment to raise chickens or ducks.

Roger Eakins, regional livestock specialist with the University of Missouri Extension Center in Jackson, said free handouts about raising ducks and chickens are available at the Jackson office.

Brink said he has never had customers complain of salmonella contamination, but he relies on a reputable breeder who practices good disease protection.

Still hand-washing is a good habit to get into after many situations, including handling animals to using the restroom to preparing food to playing outside.

"We'd all be a lot healthier if we'd wash our hands more often," Elledge said.