June 8, 2012

Poultry livestock from a mail-order hatchery in Ohio, US, have been linked to a salmonella outbreak which has affected 93 people across the country, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Most of the illnesses have occurred between March 1 and May 19. The outbreak is believed to have caused 18 hospitalisations and one death. Nearly 37% of those who have been affected from the outbreak are aged ten or younger.

The same mail-order hatchery was linked to a salmonella outbreak in 2011, according to CDC, which did not identify the hatchery.

Veterinarians from the Ohio Department of Agriculture have inspected the hatchery this month and made recommendations for improvement.

In order to reduce the risk of salmonella infection, the CDC has advised individuals to wash hands thoroughly with soap and water immediately after touching live poultry or anything in the area where they live and roam.