The San Juan Basin Health Department issued an alert Wednesday about the possibility of contracting salmonella from handling baby chicks and ducklings, which, while cute and seasonal around Easter, can expose people to the illness.
Salmonella, more often associated with foodborne illness, can cause stomach cramps, diarrhea, fever and vomiting.
Close contact with live poultry such as chicks and ducklings, but also snakes, turtles and lizards, can transmit salmonella.
The risk of infection and more serious illness is higher for children younger than 5.
Onset of symptoms usually occur within 12 to 72 hours after infection. There were 19 cases of salmonella in Southwest Colorado in 2013 – 12 in La Plata County; Archuleta, 2; Dolores, 2; Montezuma, 3.
The health department recommends against handling animals that can transmit salmonella.
Preventive measures include washing hands after handling eggs or poultry, cleaning equipment used in caring for live poultry and never bringing live poultry into the house.
daler@durangoherald.com
