June 1, 2012 — The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) is warning about the risk of chick salmonella poisoning from handling live baby chicks, ducks, goslings, or other live poultry. So far, 93 people have been sickened across 23 states in the Eastern U.S. Most of the victims are under 10 years old, and 18 people have been hospitalized. One person may have died as a result of the outbreak, but the death is still under investigation. All of the poisonings have been tied to Mount Healthy Hatchery in Ohio.
This latest salmonella outbreak is not the first outbreak tied to this hatchery. From February 2011 through October 2011, at least 96 cases of salmonella poisoning were traced back to this hatchery. Health officials identified two different strains of salmonella responsible for the poisonings. In the current outbreak, at least three different strains of salmonella have been identified.
Another study identified a mail-order hatchery in the Western U.S. that is responsible for at least 316 salmonella poisonings across 43 states. Although the hatchery has taken steps to sanitize the facility since 2006, salmonella poisonings linked to this facility have continued for the last eight years.
Experts warn that children should not be allowed to handle live poultry due to the risk of salmonella poisoning. Children under 5 years old, the elderly, pregnant women, and people with weakened immune systems are most vulnerable to a life-threatening salmonella infection. Although most healthy adults recover from salmonella poisoning, the infection can cause death in high-risk populations.
Many people do not realize that touching baby chicks and poultry can transmit the salmonella bacteria. Hatcheries are frequent sources of salmonella. Infected hens lay eggs that contain salmonella, and at incubating temperature, the bacteria grows prolifically. If the egg is broken, the bacteria can be spread throughout the hatchery on other eggs, animals, humans, equipment, and even the air. Once a hatchery becomes contaminated with salmonella, it may be difficult or impossible to completely clean the facility.
Do I have a Salmonella Lawsuit?
The Schmidt Firm, PLLC is currently accepting salmonella induced injury cases in all 50 states. If you or somebody you know has been injured by salmonella after handling live animals, you should contact our lawyers immediately for a free case consultation. Please use the form below to contact our Salmonella Litigation Group or call toll free 24 hours a day at (866) 920-0753.
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