The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has issued a warning about salmonella connected to chickens and ducks in backyard flocks across the country.
The CDC reports that as of July 13 there have been 212 cases of salmonella reported, including one in Maine. Nationally, 34 people have been hospitalized, and no one has died.
State epidemiologist Dr. Siiri Bennet says it is important to wash your hands after touching live poultry or anything in the area where they live or roam.
“Salmonella, in particular, can affect children and people over the age of 65 and people with immune-compromised systems,” Bennet says.
Bennett says adults should supervise the hand washing of very young children who have touched live poultry.
She says birds carrying salmonella may appear healthy, but could pass on the disease to people in their feathers and droppings.
Update: This story originally stated that there were 212 reported cases since July 13. There have been 212 cases as of July 13.
