Teresa Y. Morishita, D.V.M., Ph.D.
Extension Veterinarian, Poultry
Ohio State University Extension
The use of hatching eggs in classrooms is a good way to teach youngsters about the stages of chick development. Of recent interest with these projects has been the concern with teachers and parents about potential diseases that may be associated with these newly-hatched chicks and turkey poults.
Many of the diseases that are associated with chickens and turkeys tend to be specific for poultry, that is, these diseases are not transmissible to humans. However, there are some diseases that can be transmitted to humans.
What are the potential diseases in baby chicks and turkey poults that can be transmitted to humans? Diseases due to some bacteria can be transmissible to humans. Salmonellosis, caused by the bacteria Salmonella, is one disease that can potentially spread from young poultry to humans.
Salmonella is the name of a species of bacteria. There are more than 2,000 different types of Salmonella. Any one of these can potentially cause disease in humans. Salmonella can be found in a variety of animal species including dogs, cats, livestock,reptiles, birds, and man. Many of these species carry this bacteria in their intestines and may not even show any signs of disease. However, these same animals can shed this bacteria in their feces. Other animals infected with Salmonella may show some signs of intestinal malfunction, which includes diarrhea. When an animal shows signs, we call the disease, salmonellosis.
Salmonella is usually transmitted by the fecal-oral route. Fecal-oral transmission means that a person can get the infection by ingesting Salmonella from feces or feces-contaminated objects.
As mentioned earlier, Salmonella is present in the intestines of a variety of animal species. Handling young poultry involves no more of a risk than handling our pets or other animals. Since we can potentially obtain the bacteria by contact with feces or feces-contaminated objects, the best way to prevent such infections is through good personal hygiene habits, i.e., washing your hands before you handle anything that you plan to ingest.
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