Happy Easter ... Beware The Salmonella

The CDC warns against giving young children those cute little fluffy chicks or ducklings as gifts for Easter.

The birds shed harmful salmonella bacteria and children, and other high people with high risk conditions, are prone to becoming quite ill from being in contact with the birds. The bacteria is harbored in the chick's down, and children are apt to kiss the bird, or put fingers into mouths after cuddling them.

Signs of salmonella poisoning are diarrhea, fever, stomach pains, all of which occur about one to three days after ingesting the salmonella. Other symptoms are chills, nausea, headache, or generally feeling achy. So leave those cute little birds in the pet store, and buy a stuffed animal instead.

[Of course you already knew that reptiles and turtles are renown for salmonella poisonings in children.]

www.grayace.com/dex/bunny.html