Salmonella?! What do I do now????

[Henriettamom919]

How are your kidlets feeling?

 

[Aunt Angus]

The CDC has concerns about the particular strain that my kids tested positive for. Apparently, it's not a run of the mill strain that chicks carry in their feces. They are treating it more as a contamination, than an infection. I would love for my chicks' results to come back as a different strain and them to be vindicated! Fingers crossed!

Which serotype? Did the CDC tell you?

 

[SurferchickinSB]

So, both of my kids (10 & 6 yo) have tested positive with the same strain of Salmonella. The CDC has done genome testing and it is a strain "common from handling live poultry." They will now be testing a stool sample from my flock for confirmation that is where they contracted it. We have 10 week old Wyandottes that we got from a reputable (we thought) hatchery. My husband is on the verge of getting rid of the chicks, I am not. I have done enough research to make my head spin, but wondered if anyone here has had a similar experience. Most of the articles I've read discuss the human side, but I'm worried about the animal side right now. The kids are under control and healthy. Do we have to cull the flock? Are their eggs going to be safe to eat? My kids are (sadly) banned from the birds for now. We stressed and stressed proper hygiene with them, but obviously something slipped passed us. Any thoughts/advice is greatly appreciated! Thanks so much!

Well, that’s a good way for them to learn about the consequences of improper hygiene, as long as you are going to have any kind of animals, you need to wash your hands after handling them and after going to the bathroom. You can get sick from anything, even going out to eat in a restaurant if the food handler did not wash their hands after using the restroom.

 

[Aunt Angus]

Also - the VAST majority of cases of Salmonella are related to food consumption. The CDC website reports that there are about 1.2 million cases every year, of which 1 million are related to food. There have been 279 cases linked to backyard poultry this year.

But I see the concern. They are concerned about antibiotic-resistant strains. THAT makes sense. That's why I wonder what is the specific serotype they have. Interesting stuff, but scary.

https://www.cdc.gov/salmonella/index.html

(edited or clarity)

 

[BigBlueHen53]

I've learned a lot from this thread and I want to thank *everybody*! OP for sharing what has obviously been a stressful situation... I won't remember who said what, unfortnately, but ... I will start washing my eggs in the bleach- Dawn- warm water solution instead of just under warm running water and wiping with a wet paper towel after this. I know this removes the wax coating but neither I nor my customers are saving them for months and months nor for hatching, so it doesn't really matter ... they are usually pretty clean anyway but once in a while you get that poopy egg, y'know... for whoever pointed out that all chickens have this bacteria in their stool and reminded us of the importance of handwashing ... and I want to just remind everyone to check and wash the bottoms of your shoes or boots after being in the chicken yard or coop; we always hose off before coming in the house.

OP, I wish your children well and thank you again for posting this.

 

[Holler Hens]

How are your kidlets feeling?

They are much better now! Thanks for asking! They each had a good, solid week of misery though....

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Glad they are feeling better! That is great news!

 

[Holler Hens]

I've learned a lot from this thread and I want to thank *everybody*! OP for sharing what has obviously been a stressful situation... I won't remember who said what, unfortnately, but ... I will start washing my eggs in the bleach- Dawn- warm water solution instead of just under warm running water and wiping with a wet paper towel after this. I know this removes the wax coating but neither I nor my customers are saving them for months and months nor for hatching, so it doesn't really matter ... they are usually pretty clean anyway but once in a while you get that poopy egg, y'know... for whoever pointed out that all chickens have this bacteria in their stool and reminded us of the importance of handwashing ... and I want to just remind everyone to check and wash the bottoms of your shoes or boots after being in the chicken yard or coop; we always hose off before coming in the house.

OP, I wish your children well and thank you again for posting this.

Thanks so much! The kids are much better now! Just sad they are banned from the chicks....

 

[Holler Hens]

Also - the VAST majority of cases of Salmonella are related to food consumption. The CDC website reports that there are about 1.2 million cases every year, of which 1 million are related to food. There have been 279 cases linked to backyard poultry.

But I see the concern. They are concerned about antibiotic-resistant strains. THAT makes sense. That's why I wonder what is the specific serotype they have. Interesting stuff, but scary.

https://www.cdc.gov/salmonella/index.html

I got a hold of the public health district as they are the go-between for us and the CDC. My son's came back as Salmonella Enteritidis, but still waiting on the DNA testing for my daughter. His matches the genotyping/DNA for 15 current cases being investigated in OH. They are trying to link it back to the hatchery. And if it does go back to them, they'll recommend destroying the breeding flock. I am so confused and getting conflicting information. The human side of things say one thing, then the chicken side of things say another. I honestly don't know what to think and what to do from this point! I just want to hear that we are fine to keep the flock and the eggs are safe, with proper handling....

 

[Aunt Angus]

I got a hold of the public health district as they are the go-between for us and the CDC. My son's came back as Salmonella Enteritidis, but still waiting on the DNA testing for my daughter. His matches the genotyping/DNA for 15 current cases being investigated in OH. They are trying to link it back to the hatchery. And if it does go back to them, they'll recommend destroying the breeding flock. I am so confused and getting conflicting information. The human side of things say one thing, then the chicken side of things say another. I honestly don't know what to think and what to do from this point! I just want to hear that we are fine to keep the flock and the eggs are safe, with proper handling....

I hear ya. It is confusing. What's MOST important, though, is that your kids are ok and that you working with the authorities will hopefully keep others' kids safe.