Health department: Allegheny County resident linked to multi-state outbreak of salmonella

An Allegheny County resident has contracted salmonella linked to a multi-state outbreak of the illness, according to the county’s health department.

The health department said in a statement that the most people associated with this current outbreak have reported contact with backyard poultry. Public health officials are working to get more information about their potential exposures, the statement said.

The statement did not indicate where the person lives. An inquiry sent to a county spokesperson was not immediately returned.

People affected by salmonella may experience symptoms such as stomach cramps or watery diarrhea with blood or mucus, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Other symptoms include headache, nausea, vomiting and loss of appetite.

Symptoms usually start 6 hours to 6 days after infection, and usually last four to seven days, according to the CDC.

Even if backyard chickens and ducks look healthy, they can still carry salmonella germs, the health department said.

The health department strongly recommended people wash their hands after touching poultry, eggs or the area where the poultry lives. People should also:

• Avoid eating or drinking around backyard poultry and their living area.

• Clean supplies used to maintain backyard poultry often and store them outside of the home.

• Collect eggs often, clean them and refrigerate them.

• Cook egg-based dishes to an internal temperature of 160°F.

• Call a health care provider after interacting with backyard poultry and experience symptoms of diarrhea, high fever, vomiting or dehydration.