Backyard chickens and the higher risk of Salmonella infection

Research published in Clinical Infectious Diseases (CID) discusses the increase trend of Salmonella cases related to chickens in kept and raised in the home environment or backyard.  Many of these chickens come from mail-order hatcheries.

People, most those who are new to owning chicken, do not realize the risk with regard to the higher prevalence of Salmonella.  People often treat chickens as pets, and this can be problematic  when people fail to wash their hands afterward.  This is especially a problem in young children who are more susceptible and less likely to wash their hands afterwards.

Clinical Infectious Diseases (CID)
Backyard Poultry Flocks and Salmonellosis: A Recurring, Yet Preventable Public Health Challengehttp://cid.oxfordjournals.org/content/early/2014/02/20/cid.ciu067
Patricia M. Griffin, Section Editor Casey Barton Behravesh1, Denise Brinson2, Brett A. Hopkins3, and Thomas M. Gomez4 + Author Affiliations
1Division of Foodborne, Waterborne, and Environmental Diseases, National Center for Emerging Zoonotic and Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta
2United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Poultry Improvement Plan, Conyers, Georgia
3International Technical Animal Production and Processing Solutions (iTAPPS), Overland Park, Kansas
4Veterinary Services, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA, Atlanta, Georgia
Correspondence: Casey Barton Behravesh, MS, DVM, DrPH, DACVPM, Division of Foodborne, Waterborne, and Environmental Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Rd NE, MS-A38, Atlanta, GA 30329 (cbartonbehravesh@cdc.gov).

Abstract

Poultry are well recognized as possible carriers of Salmonella species. As part of the local foods movement, backyard poultry flocks have increased in popularity in recent years. Between 1996 and 2012, 45 outbreaks of human Salmonella infections linked to live poultry from mail-order hatcheries were documented. This review examines the history of live poultry–associated salmonellosis in humans in the United States, the current status of the issue, and what can be done to help prevent these illnesses. An integrated One Health approach involving the mail-order hatchery industry, feed stores, healthcare providers, veterinarians, and backyard flock owners is needed to help prevent live poultry–associated salmonellosis.