Want to prevent salmonella illness? Don’t snuggle the poultry

Hannah Street
Communications 

Recent cases of salmonella illnesses in Washington state serve as a reminder of the importance of practicing good hygiene when handling or working around poultry.

Earlier this month, the state Department of Health reported 16 confirmed cases of salmonella originating from live poultry in a dozen counties on both sides of the state. Though no deaths have been reported, five people were hospitalized.

Our local cases are part of a larger, multistate outbreak of human salmonella linked to live poultry. As with the Washington state cases, those who became sick reported obtaining poultry from feed supply stores, hatcheries, relatives or from the web.

Salmonella
Salmonella is a bacteria that can be found on live poultry dropping, feathers, feet and beaks. People become infected when those germs make contact with the mouth area.
Certain factors can speed the spread of salmonella, such as the inclination of young children to handle ducklings and chicks, which are in turn more likely to shed salmonella bacteria in their droppings. Since children are less likely than adults to wash their hands after handling these animals, it is vital that adults supervise children to ensure they practice good hygiene when handling poultry.

Medical attention
Symptoms of salmonella in humans include fever, diarrhea, and stomach pain. These symptoms tend to show up within three days of infection, and while symptoms can go away on their own, severe cases can require medical attention.
Healthy poultry can carry salmonella, so it’s important to maintain proper care of and hygiene around poultry.

Prevention  
Although outbreaks are becoming more common as more people are getting backyard flocks, salmonella isn’t inevitable if you live or work around poultry. Diligent hygienic practices decrease the chances of contracting poultry-related illnesses.
The best defense is washing hands with soap and water after handling. And while poultry, and baby chicks in particular, can invite affectionate handling, never nuzzle or kiss live poultry.
Other prevention methods recommended by the Centers for Disease Control include:
• Keeping pens outdoors, as well as any equipment used around poultry.
• Thoroughly cooking and handling eggs from hens.
• Refraining from eating or drinking around poultry.
• Supervision of young children around live poultry.

Visit the Centers for Disease Control webpage, Keeping Backyard Chickens, for more information salmonella and poultry.

Avian influenza – spread the word, protect your birds

Dr. Joe Baker

Washington State Veterinarian 

Fall is coming and with it a renewed risk of highly pathogenic avian influenza, or HPAI. But first, some background on why this is such a serious cause for concern.

In the fall of 2014, Washington became the first state to have flocks infected with highly-pathogenic avian influenza, or HPAI. When the outbreak was over, four small, non-commercial poultry flocks, a game bird farm and a falconry were all affected.

None of our large commercial poultry operations became infected, but they still suffered as a result of the actions required in response to the infected flocks. The ability of the commercial operations to export poultry and poultry products was hampered. In one case, tens of thousands of day-old chicks were destroyed because Canada refused them entry after we established our first quarantine zone around two small, non-commercial flocks in Benton County.

As this illustrates, all poultry owners in Washington are part of the poultry industry, and disease in even small flocks can directly or indirectly affect flocks large and small throughout the state. It is vital that all poultry owners recognize this and take the steps to protect their birds and others, too.

The cases of avian influenza in Washington and neighboring states in the fall were the tip of what turned out to be an iceberg of historic proportions, as highly pathogenic avian influenza found its way into commercial turkey and layer operations in the Midwest, creating a massive animal disease outbreak and control response. Federal costs alone are expected to reach a billion dollars while the disease and depopulation led to the loss of more than 10 percent of our nation’s layer hen inventory and more than 7 percent of our turkey inventory. It will take at least two years for the poultry industry to recover and some producers will be put out of business permanently.

Risk returns with migration cycle

The risk that avian influenza will return to our state rides on the wings of migratory waterfowl that have once again begun to arrive from northern latitudes to spend the winter here. Unfortunately, these waterfowl species tend to carry avian influenza viruses with no ill effects, and can spread the disease to other susceptible birds through their droppings. Particularly vulnerable are the small hobby, exhibition, layer and organic flocks scattered all over our state, where the birds are allowed to spend significant time outside. 

Disinfectant for footgear outside
a bird flu town hall meeting.

The Animal Services Division of WSDA is trying to raise awareness of the threat HPAI poses to all poultry, and the biosecurity measures that flock owners should be putting in place to help protect their birds from the disease. Check out our updated website at agr.wa.gov/birdflu for information to help bird owners, no matter how large or small your flock.

There is no vaccine currently authorized for birds and there is no treatment for the disease, so flocks hit with HPAI must be euthanized in order to prevent the virus spreading. That is why prevention through good biosecurity is so important.

I encourage you to visit our webpage, look through the materials and formulate YOUR plan for protecting your birds this fall and winter. As ever, if you have questions or need help, you can also email ahealth@agr.wa.gov or call 800-606-3056.