Centers for Disease Control releases new salmonella numbers

The Centers for DiseaseControland Preventionreleased its latest numbersofsalmonella outbreaks linked to live poultry Wednesday.

The CDC says live baby chicks are a carrier of thesegerms,which are particularly dangerous to children.

In 2012, the CDC reported eight salmonella outbreaks with32 people sickin Missouri.

Genalee Alexander from the Columbia and Boone County Department ofHealthsayslooking at an animalisn’t enoughtoknow if touchingthatanimal is a salmonella risk.

Especially this time ofyear,when parents often give gifts of baby chicks.

“Children are most at risk for salmonella. I know aroundEastertime baby chicks can be a fungift,but parents need to be aware that there can be dangers associated with children playing around baby chicks,” Alexander said.

Nearly 40 percent of all the salmonella cases wereinchildren younger than10.

Kids’immune systems are stilldeveloping,making them more susceptible to the illness.

BourneFeedand Supply owner Melissa Quast said small steps can help prevent the illness and keep baby chicks healthy.

“Washing your hands and using a little germicide and keeping your hen house clean and your chickens healthy is really the best preventative medicine,” Quast said.

Since 1990, 45 different salmonella outbreaks due to live poultry caused nearly 16,000 people to getsick in the United States.