CDC Says This Salmonella Outbreak Is Dangerous to You and Your Pets
You probably already knew that birds like chickens can carry salmonella bacteria, so we cook chicken and try not to eat too much raw cookie dough (well, that’s the danger of raw flour). But the CDC is now warning that there is an outbreak associated with songbirds, and you have to be careful if you have a bird bath or bird feeder in your yard.
The outbreak has made 19 people sick in eight states, thankfully without death. Salmonella symptoms include diarrhea, fever, and stomach cramps, and can begin anywhere from six hours to six days after the bacteria are ingested. (This could mean eating contaminated food or touching your mouth with contaminated hands.) People under the age of five, over 65, or people with weakened immune systems are at risk of developing more serious or even life-threatening symptoms.
What can you do
The CDC recommends that you do not touch or feed birds with your bare hands, and wash your hands after touching birds (including dead birds) or when handling a bird feeder or bird bath.
Pets can also be affected, so they also recommend keeping pets away from bird baths and feeders, including the area below them. You should also wash your hands after touching food, bowls, pet toys, or collecting their feces, even if you used a bag to do so.
The CDC says bird feeders and bird trays should be cleaned weekly. This will help keep people and animals healthy. But don’t wash them in the kitchen sink; do your work outdoors whenever possible. Wash the pan in warm, soapy water, then immerse it in a nine-to-one bleach solution (nine parts water to one part bleach) for 10 minutes. Let it dry before refilling and then wash your hands.
If you find a dead or sick bird
If you find a sick bird, call your local wildlife rehabilitation specialist . If you find a dead bird, ask your state wildlife agency or conservation commission if they would like you to report it. (Some agencies will screen for dead birds if they are concerned about an outbreak in the area.) Read more about what to do here on the CDC’s outbreak page .