Health Tip: Keeping Baby Chicks

Be careful handling live poultry

(HealthDay News) -- Baby chicks may be cute and cuddly, but they can harbor dangerous salmonella bacteria.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention suggests how to help prevent salmonella infection from handling baby chicks:

  • After touching baby chicks or anything in their environment, thoroughly wash hands with soap and water. Use hand sanitizer if soap and water aren't immediately available.
  • Make sure any food/water containers and cages for baby chicks are cleaned outside the home.
  • Never let children younger than age 5 handle baby poultry. Adults should always supervise older children.
  • People with weakened immune systems, including seniors, should not handle young poultry.
  • Avoid kissing baby chicks, do not eat or drink around them and do not allow them in areas where people may eat or drink.
  • Don't allow baby chicks inside the home.

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