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CDC Warns of Salmonella From Backyard Animals in Moundsville

MOUNDSVILLE — An investigation from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has linked numerous outbreaks of salmonella nationwide to the practice of keeping “backyard flocks” of chickens, which, while not reported locally, is keeping local health officials on alert.

Marshall County Health Administrator Dara Pond said that while no cases of poultry-borne salmonella had been reported in Moundsville, the department will work with the city to address any public health concerns relating to chickens.

Earlier this week, Moundsville passed an ordinance limiting the ownership of chickens, ducks and other fowl within city limits.

In addition to limiting the numbers of birds allowed to be kept, the owners are also responsible for obtaining a permit from the city, after inspection from city Building Inspector Joe Richmond.

Richmond said the inspection process, when in conjunction with the health department, may include health checks, but as of Thursday, nothing about the process has been set in stone.

“We’re still trying to put together specifics of how we’ll be putting together inspections and exactly how things need to be,” Richmond said.

“It’s sort of a learning curve for us too.”

During several city council meetings to discuss the issue of poultry, numerous residents stepped forth to attest the impact their feathered friends have had on their lives. While some claim their chickens are pets, whose children play with, name and cuddle the birds, others have said in the past that the eggs laid by their chickens had served as a food source when times were hard.

“I was laid off, and there were times where scrambled eggs were the only thing we got to eat,” said Jennifer Riggle, who in March said she owned three chickens.

Pond also urged the importance of washing hands with soap and hot water after coming into contact with live birds or anything in their environment. The CDC recommends not snuggling or kissing chickens.

The CDC said since January, 611 people nationwide have reported being infected with salmonella have been reported, linked to eight outbreaks in 45 states. West Virginia has reported 26 of these, with Ohio reporting 56, the most of any state. Nationwide, 138 people have been hospitalized, and one death reported, though the cause of death was not determined to be salmonella infection. Salmonella infection may cause symptoms of diarrhea, vomiting, fever and cramping, with more serious effects on children, seniors and those with compromised immune systems.

Dr. Rahul Gupta, state health officer and commissioner with the Bureau for Public Health, said the 26 people diagnosed with salmonella included residents from Marshall, Tyler and Hancock counties, among 12 others, with each county reporting fewer than five patients. Nine hospitalizations resulted from the outbreaks in West Virginia. The bureau is working closely with local counties and the CDC to monitor the situation.

These outbreaks were reportedly linked to people purchasing live poultry from hatcheries or suppliers, including friends, online supply stores, and hatcheries. The reasons for these purchases included raising the animals to produce food, as a hobby or as pets, to learn about agriculture, or for Easter gifts. Most of those interviewed reported becoming ill after making contact with live poultry within a week.

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