Poultry Health Risks: Salmonella, Campylobacter, E. coli, Avian Influenza

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Published March 19th, 2026

Detected March 19th, 2026

Summary

The Alabama Department of Public Health issued a notice regarding health risks associated with handling backyard poultry during 'Chick Days'. The notice highlights potential exposure to Salmonella, Campylobacter, E. coli, and avian influenza, referencing 2025 outbreaks that caused illnesses and hospitalizations.

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What changed

The Alabama Department of Public Health has issued a notice to the public about the health risks associated with purchasing and handling baby chicks and other poultry during the spring 'Chick Days' event. The notice specifically warns of potential exposure to bacteria such as Salmonella, Campylobacter, and E. coli, as well as avian influenza (bird flu), which can cause serious illness, hospitalizations, and even death. It cites outbreaks in 2025, including one in Alabama, that resulted in numerous illnesses and hospitalizations linked to backyard poultry.

The notice provides prevention tips for consumers, emphasizing handwashing after contact with poultry and their environments, avoiding eating or putting hands in the mouth around animals, and keeping poultry and their associated items separate from homes and classrooms. It also advises consulting a veterinarian or the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries in case of flock illness. While this is a public health advisory and not a regulatory mandate, consumers should be aware of these risks when purchasing poultry, especially for children, and implement the recommended hygiene practices to prevent disease transmission.

What to do next

Wash hands thoroughly with soap and water after touching live poultry or their environment.
Avoid eating or putting hands near the mouth when around animals.
Keep poultry and related items separate from homes and classrooms.

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Health Education Events

Here a Chick, There a Chick, Everywhere a Chick Chick!!!

Newsroom
March 19, 2026 The springtime event known as "Chick Days" marks the time when local stores begin offering baby chicks, ducklings, and other poultry for sale to the general public. As "Chick Days" typically are in full swing around Easter, many parents purchase chicks for their children to pose with or for a special surprise in their Easter baskets. While baby chicks and ducklings can make for a cute surprise, unfortunately, they can also pose some serious health risks to people --- particularly children --- due to the potential for exposure to bacteria like Salmonella, Campylobacter, and E. coli. There is also ongoing concern due to the recent outbreaks of avian influenza, commonly referred to as bird flu.

This year, "Chick Days" started March 1 and will continue through the summer.

Risks of Handling Backyard Poultry

Backyard poultry such as chickens, ducks, geese, and turkeys can carry germs even if they look healthy, appear clean, and show no signs of illness. However, looks can be deceiving, and there have been multiple outbreaks in America linked to backyard poultry.

In 2025, outbreaks linked to backyard poultry resulted in 559 illnesses, 125 hospitalizations, and 2 deaths across 48 states .
In Alabama in 2025, 7 cases were reported, including 1 hospitalization..
Symptoms of Salmonella, Campylobacter, and E. coli that people may experience include:
Fever
Abdominal Cramps
Diarrhea (often bloody)
Vomiting
People who catch the bird flu virus usually do so after close, long-term contact with live, domesticated poultry. Symptoms can be mild to serious and typically show up within a week to two weeks of contact with the virus. Common symptoms include:
Diarrhea
Difficulty Breathing
Fever
Pink Eye (Inflammation of the eye and eyelid)
Upset Stomach
Vomiting

Prevention Tips

Whether you are spending time posing for pictures with baby chicks or making a long-term commitment to raise flocks of backyard poultry, there are some simple steps you can take to protect yourself from disease:

Don't kiss your birds.
Don't put your hands near your mouth or eat food around the animals.
Wash your hands with soap and water after touching live poultry or anything in their environment.
Use one pair of shoes to wear while walking or working in your animals' environment. Keep this pair of shoes outside of your home.
Do not bring birds from your backyard into the classroom or into your home.
Always supervise children closely around animals.
Wash clothes and wipe down strollers, toys, and other belongings after being around backyard poultry. In the unfortunate event of flock illness or death, it is recommended that you consult a veterinarian and/or the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries (ADAI).