ATLANTA, GA (WCMH) — A recent multi-state salmonella outbreak linked to poultry has the Center for Disease Control providing tips on how to avoid the germs.
According to the CDC, Ohio has one of the highest counts of salmonella infections in the country with 56 cases reported.
To help prevent the spread of the germs, the CDC has posted several tips including “Avoid kissing your birds or snuggling them, then touching your mouth.”
Other tips include:
- Always wash your hands with soap and water right after touching live poultry or anything in the area where they live and roam.
- Adults should supervise hand washing for young children.
- Use hand sanitizer if soap and water are not readily available.
- Do not let live poultry inside the house, in bathrooms, or especially in areas where food or drink is prepared, served, or stored.
- Don’t let children younger than 5 years, adults older than 65, and people with weakened immune systems handle or touch chicks, ducklings, or other live poultry.
- If you collect eggs from the hens, thoroughly cook them.
- Don’t eat or drink in the area where the birds live or roam.
- Stay outdoors when cleaning any equipment or materials used to raise or care for live poultry, such as cages or feed or water containers.
Some symptoms of salmonella include diarrhea, vomiting, fever and abdominal cramps.