Health Department

Community Health News

What's Coming and Going Around?

• Salmonella -  Since March, more than 60 people in 18 states have been infected with Salmonella in an outbreak linked to live poultry. Live poultry can carry Salmonella bacteria but appear healthy and clean and show no signs of illness. Therefore, you should always follow these recommendations for protecting yourself and others from contact with live poultry:
  • Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water right after touching live poultry or anything in the area where they live and roam. Adults should supervise hand washing for young children.
    o If soap and water are not readily available, use hand sanitizer until you are able to wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water.
  • Do not let live poultry inside the house, in bathrooms, or especially in areas where food or drink is prepared, served, or stored, such as kitchens, or outdoor patios.
  • Do not let children younger than 5 years of age, older adults, or people with weak immune systems handle or touch chicks, ducklings, or other live poultry. Children younger than 5 years, older adults, and people with weakened immune systems are more likely to have a severe illness from Salmonella infection.
  • Do not snuggle or kiss the birds, touch your mouth, or eat or drink around live poultry.
  • Clean any equipment or materials associated with raising or caring for live poultry outside the house, such as cages or feed or water containers.
  • Download a poster about poultry and Salmonella
    

Recalls

• Nestlé NESQUIK® Chocolate Powder
• SimplyThick warning to include all infants

Notifiable Disease Investigations

April 7 - May 18, 2013

Read about the epidemiology (disease investigation) program at the Sedgwick County Health Department