Easter Animals Can Spread Salmonella, Are Bad Gift Idea

It is important for families to realize that these nontraditional pets can be a source of disease.

The New York State Consumer Protection Board is warning parents that bringing home baby chicks or ducklings this Easter could expose their children to salmonella poisoning.

Salmonella bacteria, microscopic creatures that are transmitted from the feces of animals or people to other animals or people, are a common cause of food borne illness. People who have direct contact with animals that carry the bacteria are also susceptible to catching salmonella. These animals include reptiles (turtles, lizards, and snakes) as well as birds, including baby chicks and ducklings, rabbits, gerbils, hamsters, guinea pigs and ferrets.

"An Easter tradition in some families is to give a chick to a child. While the chick is cute and fluffy, it may be carrying bacteria that can gravely sicken a child," CPB Chairperson and Executive Director Teresa A. Santiago said. Symptoms of salmonella occur 12 to 72 hours after exposure and may include diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps. The illness usually lasts from four to seven days, and in most cases does not require medical attention.

State Health Commissioner Antonia C. Novello, M.D., M.P.H., Dr. P.H., said, "No one can deny that baby chicks, ducklings and bunnies are appealing, especially to children. However, it is important for families to realize that these nontraditional pets can be a source of disease. Thorough hand-washing is a must after touching or petting these animals and it may be best to avoid contact with them altogether."

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warns that children are more likely to contact salmonella than other people, as they are less likely to wash their hands after handling animals and have more frequent hand-to-mouth contact than adults.

There is no vaccine to prevent salmonella, but there are steps people can take to decrease their chances of catching the bacterium.

To reduce the risk of contacting salmonella from an animal, anyone who touches a chick, duckling or other pet that could transmit the bacteria should wash their hands immediately after contact. Avoid any contact with feces from animals. People are also advised to wash their hands after touching any surface the animal had contact with.

New York state has a law designed to protect these small animals from abuse that could result from children receiving an animal as a gift. Among its provisions is a prohibition against the "sale, offer for sale, barter or give away" of less than six living baby chicks, ducklings or other fowl, or baby rabbits under two months of age."