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News
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Don't let baby chicks cause health problems this Easter
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4/20/2011
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Article Content Suggested lead
Parents are advised this Easter holiday season to use common sense and caution when it comes to letting youngsters handle baby poultry:
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Audio 01
Fluffy newborn chicks may be cute and cuddly, but the traditional Easter holiday icon can also lead to infectious disease, according to State Veterinarian Dr. Don Hansen of the Oregon Department of Agriculture:
HANSEN: "The concern that we have is for small children, particularly, because they are not too careful about where they put their hands after they've handled animals." :11
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Audio 02
Several disease outbreaks have been reported in Oregon this time of year over the last 15 years with salmonella traced back to handling baby poultry:
HANSEN: "Parents need to sort of observe the children after the children have handled the ducks, the chicks or the bunny- that they get their hands washed. And maybe toddlers, who are really quick to get their hands in their mouths, maybe are discouraged from direct handling. They can just look." :19
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Many families are now raising a small number of chickens at home, even in urban areas where backyard poultry is increasingly allowable. While most poultry owners raise the birds for meat and eggs, some consider them pets. That makes the disease concern and need to wash hands a year around issue, not just during Easter. In Salem, I'm Bruce Pokarney.
Additional audio: Audio 03
HANSEN says common sense and caution need to be used when mixing baby poultry this time of year and young children:
"In the past, we've seen outbreaks of diseases caused by salmonella and maybe e.coli that are related to children, and in some cases adults, handling these animals." :15
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Additional audio: Audio 04
HANSEN says ODA has worked with feed stores around the state where baby chicks are sold, to educate consumers about handling young animals:
"If you go to a feed store and see the big tub full of baby chicks, you'll see signs about washing your hands and being cautious about picking up the chicks or playing with the bunnies." :10
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Full story
http://oregon.gov/ODA/news/110420chicks.shtml |
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