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posted by martyb on Friday October 20 2017, @04:41AM   Printer-friendly

A trend in raising chickens in urban/suburban areas has led to a spike in salmonella infections:

The popular trend of raising backyard chickens in U.S. cities and suburbs is bringing with it a soaring number of illnesses from poultry-related diseases, at least one of them fatal. Since January, more than 1,100 people have contracted salmonella poisoning from chickens and ducks in 48 states, according to the Centers for Disease Control. Almost 250 were hospitalized and one person died. The toll was four times higher than in 2015.

The CDC estimates that the actual number of cases from contact with chickens and ducks is likely much higher. "For one salmonella case we know of in an outbreak, there are up to 30 others that we don't know about," CDC veterinarian Megin Nichols said.

A "large contributing factor" to the surge, Nichols said, comes from natural food fanciers who have taken up the backyard chicken hobby but don't understand the potential dangers. Some treat their birds like pets, kissing or snuggling them and letting them walk around the house. Poultry can carry salmonella bacteria in their intestines that can be shed in their feces. The bacteria can attach to feathers and dust and brush off on shoes or clothing.

But illnesses can be prevented with proper handling. The CDC recommends that people raising chickens wash their hands thoroughly after handling the birds, eggs or nesting materials, and leave any shoes worn in a chicken coop outside.

Salmonella is much more common as a food-borne illness. More than 1 million people fall ill each year from salmonella contamination in food, resulting in more than 300 deaths, according to the CDC. There are no firm figures on how many households in the U.S. have backyard chickens, but a Department of Agriculture report in 2013 found a growing number of residents in Denver, Los Angeles, Miami and New York City expressed interest in getting them. Coops are now seen in even the smallest yards and densest urban neighborhoods.

Earlier article from when only 900 people had been infected this year.

Related: Backyard Beekeeping Now Legal in Los Angeles


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  • (Score: 1, Interesting) by Anonymous Coward on Friday October 20 2017, @01:35PM (4 children)

    by Anonymous Coward on Friday October 20 2017, @01:35PM (#585216)

    In rural areas, free range chickens are supposedly useful for controlling tick populations and reducing Lyme disease.

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  • (Score: 2) by EvilSS on Friday October 20 2017, @02:07PM

    by EvilSS (1456) Subscriber Badge on Friday October 20 2017, @02:07PM (#585233)
    Well there is a challenge for a marketing company: Turn free range tick fed chicken into the next Tilapia.
  • (Score: 2) by Taibhsear on Friday October 20 2017, @02:46PM

    by Taibhsear (1464) on Friday October 20 2017, @02:46PM (#585243)

    In rural areas, free range chickens are supposedly useful for controlling tick populations and reducing Lyme disease.

    Possums too, although that's probably a less tasty option.

  • (Score: 2) by Phoenix666 on Friday October 20 2017, @04:45PM (1 child)

    by Phoenix666 (552) on Friday October 20 2017, @04:45PM (#585300) Journal

    I'm glad you said that. They don't allow chickens in the Long Island suburbs, but Lyme disease has been spreading down from Connecticut. Using them to control Lyme-carrying ticks would be a useful way to get the law changed so people can keep chickens for meat and eggs.

    --
    Washington DC delenda est.
    • (Score: 1, Interesting) by Anonymous Coward on Friday October 20 2017, @11:27PM

      by Anonymous Coward on Friday October 20 2017, @11:27PM (#585475)

      I'm really glad to see your post!

      Ticks used to be kept in check by native American species like wild turkey, and bob white quail. Chickens aren't native. Guinea fowl are probably the most specifically adapted tick hunters on the planet, but they also aren't native.

      The turkey is coming back due to several private trap and release projects. Results have been dramatic in the northeast over the past several years. The bob white is more difficult because it has a more specialized habitat. My state tried it but ended up making the problem worse. There have been some private bob white restoration projects, but they haven't done as well as the wild turkey.

      Anyway, if you want to see Lyme curtailed in the northeast, those two birds are where to start. You can join nwtf.org if you'd like to be part of the trap and release projects, or seek out your local wildlife management extension for advice, if your interested in this subject.

      Thanks!