Salmonella Risk from Baby Birds at Easter

 

Easter brings to mind brightly colored eggs, baskets full of candy, and large chocolate bunnies. Traditions associated with the Easter season are enjoyable for children and adults alike. However, some Easter traditions are of particular concern for children, placing them at risk for serious illness. Baby animals, including baby chicks and ducklings, are sometimes given as gifts or put on display at this time of the year. Because they are so soft and cute, many people do not realize the potential danger baby birds, such as chicks and ducklings, can be to small children. Young birds often carry harmful bacteria called Salmonella. Each spring some children become infected with Salmonella after receiving a baby bird for Easter.

Bacteria that are carried in the bird's intestine contaminate their environment and the entire surface of the animal. These bacteria can be harmful to humans. Children can be exposed to the bacteria by simply holding, cuddling or kissing the birds and by contact with bird enclosures or bird environments. Young children are most susceptible to infection because they are more likely than others to put their fingers into their mouths and because their immune systems are still developing. Others at increased risk include persons with HIV/AIDS, pregnant women, the elderly, and other immunocompromised persons.

The following questions and answers contain important information for parents about baby birds and Salmonella. For further information please visit the Healthy Pets Healthy People Web site or talk to your veterinarian or healthcare provider.

Why do baby birds not make good Easter gifts?

Each spring there is an increase in demand from hatcheries and farms to supply young animals for Easter. To meet the demand baby birds, especially chicks and ducklings, are specially hatched in large quantities and are shipped around the country. Hatching and shipping many animals at one time increases the stress upon the animals and makes them more prone to becoming ill or shedding harmful bacteria such as Salmonella. The likelihood of animals shedding Salmonella bacteria and infecting others increases. It is important to mention that baby birds can appear normal and healthy, but can still carry Salmonella that can infect people.

How is Salmonella transmitted?

Children become infected by putting their fingers or other things (e.g. pacifiers, toys) contaminated with bird droppings into their mouths. Baby birds often do not appear dirty but may have feces and bacteria on their feathers and beaks – places where children are likely to touch. Birds might also contaminate their physical environment and children can become infected if their hands come in contact with this environment.

How do I know if a baby bird has Salmonella?

Many young birds carry Salmonella in their feces. It is difficult to know if birds are carrying Salmonella because they will not usually show signs of illness. It is important to mention that these birds can appear normal and healthy, but can still carry Salmonella that can infect people.

How do I reduce the exposure of young children to Salmonella from baby birds?

• Baby birds do not make good Easter gifts. Give toy stuffed animals instead.
• Do not let children under 5 years of age handle or touch baby chicks, ducklings, or other young birds. Keep children from coming into contact with boxes in which chicks or ducklings arrive and keep children away from areas where these birds live.
• If any person touches the baby birds or their environment, make sure that they wash their hands immediately afterwards. Pacifiers, toys, bottles or other objects should not touch the baby birds or their enclosures. If these objects do become contaminated, wash them with warm, soapy water.
• Do not allow anyone to eat or drink while interacting with baby birds or their environment. Keep the bird area separate from areas where food and drink are prepared or consumed. Do not allow birds on table surfaces or places where food will be prepared or eaten. Do not clean bird food or water dishes, cages, or other items in the kitchen sink. These items should be cleaned outdoors if possible.
• Talk to your healthcare provider and your veterinarian about possible risk factors for Salmonella.
• Do not keep baby birds in child care centers or schools.
• Do not let baby birds live inside your home.

How do people catch Salmonella?

Salmonella live in the intestinal tracts of humans and other animals, including birds. Salmonella are usually transmitted to humans by eating foods contaminated with animal feces. Contaminated foods usually look and smell normal. Contaminated foods are often of animal origin, such as beef, poultry, milk, or eggs, but any food, including vegetables, may become contaminated. Thorough cooking kills Salmonella. Food may also become contaminated by the hands of an infected food handler who did not wash hands with soap after using the bathroom.

Salmonella may also be found in the feces of some pets, especially those with diarrhea, and people can become infected if they do not wash their hands after contact with pets or pet feces. Reptiles, such as turtles, lizards, and snakes, are particularly likely to harbor Salmonella. Many young birds carry Salmonella in their feces. People should always wash their hands immediately after handling a reptile or bird, even if the animal is healthy. Adults should also assure that children wash their hands after handling a reptile or bird, or after touching its environment.

What are the signs of Salmonella infections in humans?

Salmonellosis (sal-mon-el-OH-sis) is a disease caused by the bacterium Salmonella. Most people have diarrhea, fever, and stomach pain that starts 1 to 3 days after they ingest the bacteria. These symptoms usually resolve after 1 week. Other symptoms might be nausea, chills, headaches or general achy feeling. Young children, the elderly and other immunocompromised persons may have a more severe infection. Occasionally, infections are so severe that people have to see a doctor or be hospitalized.

How are Salmonella infections diagnosed?

Many different kinds of illnesses can cause diarrhea, fever, or abdominal cramps. Determining that Salmonella is the cause of the illness depends on laboratory tests that identify Salmonella in the stool of an infected person. Once Salmonella has been identified, further testing can determine its specific type.

How can Salmonella infections be treated?

Salmonella infections usually resolve in 5-7 days and often do not require treatment other than oral fluids. Persons with severe diarrhea may require rehydration with intravenous fluids. Antibiotics, such as ampicillin, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, or ciprofloxacin, are not usually necessary unless the infection spreads from the intestines.

How can Salmonella infections be prevented?

To prevent salmonellosis, persons handling poultry should be warned about the risks of contact with live poultry and should be educated about handwashing after contact with poultry or poultry environments. In addition, agricultural feed stores should provide handwashing facilities and information on salmonellosis to persons considering a live poultry purchase. Hatcheries and agricultural feed stores should provide their customers with written recommendations on ways to prevent transmission of Salmonella from birds to humans. Chicks and other live poultry should not be given as gifts to young children. Live poultry should be kept separate from areas where food and drinks are prepared or consumed. Children aged <5 years should not be allowed to handle baby chicks or other poultry. All surfaces that come into contact with live poultry (e.g., hands, floors, tables, rugs, shipment boxes, dust, and chicken enclosures) might be contaminated with Salmonella. All persons should wash their hands with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds after touching live poultry or surfaces in contact with live poultry.††

Are there any government restrictions concerning the sale of chicks?

At this time the federal government has no restrictions concerning the sale of chicks and ducklings. State governments have recognized the risk of Salmonella to young children and some states have passed restrictions for pet stores and local agencies that prohibit the sale of baby chicks around Easter.

Where can I find educational materials about the risks of bird-associated salmonellosis?

The Washington Department of Health has created a poster, flyer, and stickers that say, "After you touch a duck or chick, wash your hands so you don't get sick." Their educational materials, available in English and in Spanish, can be downloaded or ordered from the Health Education Resource Exchange (H.E.R.E. in Washington).

The Zoonoses Education Coalition has also created a poster and a sticker.

• Chick Poster, Size 18"X23" 300dpi ( 2.99MB, 1 page)
• Stickers 300dpi ( 3.09MB, 1 page; use Avery size #5294 laser large round labels, 12 labels per sheet)

More Information

• CDC's Healthy Pets Healthy People
• CDC's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR)
  • Multistate Outbreaks of Salmonella Infections Associated with Live Poultry — United States, 2007
  • Three Outbreaks of Salmonellosis Associated with Baby Poultry from Three Hatcheries — United States, 2006
  • Salmonella Serotype Montevideo Infections Associated with Chicks — Idaho, Washington, and Oregon, Spring 1995 and 1996
• Why Parents Should Think Twice Before Giving Baby Birds to Young Children for Easter ( 4:09 mins)