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That Duck May Look Clean, But . . .

 

 


# 6410

 

The CDC is investigating an outbreak of Salmonella Montevideo involving 66 persons across 20 states linked to the handling of live poultry (baby chicks or ducklings or both) sold via mail-order hatcheries and  agricultural feed stores.

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You may recall that similar warnings have gone out in the past regarding Human Salmonella Infections Linked to Small Turtles.   Like turtles, poultry can sometimes carry and spread the salmonella bacteria, which makes good hand hygiene particularly important after touching these birds. 

 

In this case, the CDC’s investigation has traced the infected birds to a Hatchery in Springfield, Missouri.  You can read the details at:

 

 

Multistate Outbreak of Human Salmonella Montevideo Infections Linked to Live Poultry

Highlights
  • Read the Advice to Consumers »
  • A total of 66 persons infected with the outbreak strain of Salmonella Montevideo have been reported from 20 states.
    • The number of ill persons identified in each state is as follows: Alaska (1), California (2), Colorado (1), Georgia (1), Illinois (1), Indiana (8), Iowa (2), Kansas (10), Kentucky (1), Massachusetts (1), Missouri (22), Nebraska (5), Nevada (1), New York (1), North Carolina (1), Ohio (1), Oklahoma (4), South Dakota (1), Vermont (1), and Wyoming (1).
    • 16 ill persons have been hospitalized.  One death was reported in Missouri, but Salmonella infection was not considered a contributing factor in this person’s death.
    • 35% of ill persons are children 10 years of age or younger.
  • Epidemiologic, laboratory, and traceback findings have linked this outbreak of human Salmonella infections to contact with chicks, ducklings, and other live baby poultry from Estes Hatchery in Springfield, Missouri.
  • Mail-order hatcheries, agricultural feed stores, and others that sell or display chicks, ducklings, and other live poultry should provide health-related information  [PDF - 1 page] to owners and potential purchasers of these birds prior to the point of purchase. This should include information about the risk of acquiring a Salmonella infection from contact with live poultry.

 

 

There are over 2,500 serotypes of Salmonella, and . Salmonella Montevideo ranks among the 10 most common strains.  According to the CDC, the Clinical Features/Signs and Symptoms of infection are:

 

Most persons infected with Salmonella develop diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps 12-72 hours after infection. Infection is usually diagnosed by culture of a stool sample. The illness usually lasts from 4 to 7 days. Although most people recover without treatment, severe infections may occur. Infants, elderly persons, and those with weakened immune systems are more likely than others to develop severe illness. When severe infection occurs, Salmonella may spread from the intestines to the bloodstream and then to other body sites and can cause death unless the person is treated promptly with antibiotics.

 

 

For more  information about Salmonella, you may wish to check out the CDC’s Salmonella FAQ.

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