Tools

Salmonella Danger from Handling Live Birds

by KREX News Room
by Cori Coffin

Story Created: Mar 9, 2013 at 9:59 PM MDT

Story Updated: Mar 10, 2013 at 12:18 AM MDT

DENVER - Many know salmonella to be a food-borne illness, but now officials with the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment are saying that people can become infected by handling live poultry.

According to the Centers for Disease Control, 2012 saw the largest outbreak of human salmonella infections linked to backyard flocks in a single year.

Officials say poultry can have germs in their droppings and on their bodies, even if they appear clean.

The outbreak usually increases during the spring, as the demand rises for baby birds as gifts, known as "spring chickens." Officials are warning parents to keep children 5 years of age and younger away from live birds of all types.

Add a comment

Name:

Comment: 1000 Characters Left

KREX - News, Weather, Sports for Grand Junction | Montrose | Glenwood Springs - Coverage You Can Count On and its affiliated companies are not responsible for the content of comments posted or for anything arising out of use of the above comments or other interaction among the users. We reserve the right to screen, refuse to post, remove or edit user-generated content at any time and for any or no reason in our absolute and sole discretion without prior notice, although we have no duty to do so or to monitor any Public Forum.

Most Popular
This content requires the latest Adobe Flash Player and a browser with JavaScript enabled. Click here for a free download of the latest Adobe Flash Player.
News Channel 5 Weather