{"id":262887,"date":"2020-07-02T21:42:05","date_gmt":"2020-07-02T11:42:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/?p=262887"},"modified":"2020-07-02T21:42:05","modified_gmt":"2020-07-02T11:42:05","slug":"salmonella-linked-to-chickens","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/2020\/07\/02\/salmonella-linked-to-chickens\/","title":{"rendered":"Salmonella Linked To Chickens"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"\"<\/a>
There has been a rise in popularity in keeping backyard poultry during the COVID-19 pandemic (Photo: J.T. Dale)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

July 2, 2020<\/b><\/p>\n

Queensland Health is investigating an outbreak of salmonella infections among young children linked to contact with backyard poultry.<\/p>\n

Communicable Diseases Branch spokesperson Dr Alun Richards said\u00a0as at June 26 there had been 17 cases of Salmonella typhimurium<\/em> infection reported across the State.<\/p>\n

Thirteen of these were in children aged 11 years or younger.<\/p>\n

Five children had to be treated in hospital for their illness.<\/p>\n

A majority of cases reported handling chicks that were purchased in the two weeks prior to their illness.<\/p>\n

The chicks had been obtained from a range of produce and pet stores in Queensland.<\/p>\n

Dr Richards\u00a0said an investigation into the supplier of chicks to these stores was ongoing.<\/strong><\/p>\n

He warned that backyard poultry can harbour and shed salmonella that cause illness in humans, even though the birds are healthy and clean.<\/p>\n

The outbreak follows a surge in poultry popularity during COVID-19 isolation.<\/p>\n

The ABC reported in March chicken breeders were being inundated with requests as more families turned to backyard chooks for egg supplies.<\/p>\n

* * *<\/strong><\/h2>\n

The public health advice for owners of backyard poultry include:<\/strong><\/p>\n