The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a health alert on Monday warning that contact with backyard poultry may lead to infections from drug-resistant salmonella. The warning comes amid growing concern about the safety of keeping backyard chickens, an increasingly popular practice among American households.

Salmonella is a common foodborne pathogen that can cause diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps. According to the CDC, salmonella infections linked to backyard poultry have been rising in recent years. The strain highlighted in this warning shows resistance to multiple antibiotics, making treatment more challenging.

The CDC noted that backyard poultry keeping has grown significantly in popularity across the United States, with many families raising chickens for fresh eggs and as pets. However, chickens and other poultry can carry salmonella without showing any signs of illness. The bacteria can spread to surfaces that humans come into contact with, including soil, feed, and water containers, through poultry droppings.

The emergence of drug-resistant salmonella is particularly concerning because standard antibiotic treatment regimens may be ineffective. This means infected individuals may take longer to recover and, in severe cases, may require hospitalization.

The CDC recommends that backyard poultry keepers take the following precautions: wash hands thoroughly after contact with poultry or their environment; prevent children under 5 years old from handling poultry; avoid keeping poultry inside the home; and never clean poultry equipment in kitchen sinks.

Public health officials emphasize that while keeping backyard poultry is not inherently unsafe, understanding the risks and practicing proper hygiene is essential.

Sources: ABC News / Spectrum News