‘Do not hug your hens’: Salmonella cases on the rise in US, CDC warns

The US health authorities, faced with the rapid rise in salmonellosis cases, made a recommendation that, despite its seriousness, made many people smile: they asked American citizens to stop hugging τις hens their.

“Do not give hugs or pet your poultry, do not eat or drink near them,” said the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the US federal health service.

According to the CDC, the increase in salmonellosis cases is partly due to this “tenderness” shown by poultry owners to their birds. As of mid-February, 163 cases had been reported and 34 people needed to be treated.

“From the interviews given by the patients, it appears that contact with birds was most likely the source of the epidemic,” the Centers said.

Although they look clean and healthy, chickens, ducks and other birds can be carriers of salmonella, a bacterium that causes diarrhea, fever and vomiting. The CDC advised citizens to wash their hands thoroughly after coming into contact with birds and not to encourage children to play with them.

Usually, the infection comes from eating eggs or dairy products. Thousands of cases are reported each year, but they are rarely fatal.

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