Salmonella Treatment, Symptoms & Definition: Outbreak Linked to 'Cuddling & Kissing' Chickens, CDC Says

Over the past years, the number of illnesses caused by salmonella has been too high that the Centers for Disaster Control and Prevention (CDC) is already considering it as an outbreak. Salmonella is said to be brought about by food poisoning. But according to a research, cuddling and kissing live poultry can also be blamed for the spread of this group of bacteria.

The Benchmark Reporter relates that the CDC has found that out of the 181 individuals with salmonella infection in 40 different states, 86 percent has been in recent contact with live poultry before their illness occurred. Most of them confessed to kissing or cuddling the chickens. In view of this, the number of infected individuals has skyrocketed. As of this writing, 133 are still confined in medical facilities. 

WebMD explains that Salmonella enterica bacterium is the main cause of salmonellosis, a type of food poisoning that occurs after ingesting contaminated food brought about by improper food handling, an infected food handler, feces from pets, and reptiles, poultry or rodents. Symptoms vary from diarrhea to abdominal cramps or fever. The disease usually affects infants, older adults and people with weak immune system. 

The disease typically develops after 12 to 72 hours of contact with the bacteria, and lasts for about four days to a week. Mild cases usually don't require treatment but severe cases need antibiotics or hospitalization. Recovery may take some time especially for people with diarrhea. Sometimes, it can even lead to Reiter's syndrome, a disorder that accelerates to chronic arthritis. 

CDC adds that in the US alone, an estimated 1.2 million cases of salmonellosis occur each year, with 450 cases leading to death. The most common bacteria that carry the disease are the Salmonella serotype Enteriditis.

According to CDC, the spread of the disease can be prevented by properly washing hands under running water before food preparation, using clean utensils and separating raw ingredients like beef, poultry, fish or pork to avoid the transfer the bacteria. Households are also advised to cook their meat properly, especially poultry and eggs, as raw meat can also be a breeding ground for salmonella. 

The Daily Times Gazette writes that for poultry or livestock owners, it would be best to keep the animals away from the house and to advise little kids to avoid handling the chicks. It is also important to make cleanliness the number one priority, as this could be the best way to fight the bacteria.