Ready for Easter our feed store is well stocked with chicks and ducklings for the Easter Bunny to deliver. They should come, however, with a warning. If you touch them, wash your hands.

Remember, that back in October 2011, a total of 68 individuals infected with the outbreak strain of Salmonella Altona were been reported from 20 states linked to contact with chicks, chickens, ducklings, ducks, geese, and turkeys. The number of ill persons identified in each state is as follows: Georgia (1), Illinois (1), Indiana (1), Kentucky (6), Maryland (5), Michigan (1), Minnesota (1), Mississippi (1), New Hampshire (1), New York (4), North Carolina (9), Ohio (12), Pennsylvania (6), South Carolina (1), Tennessee (3), Texas (2), Virginia (7), Vermont (1), Wisconsin (1), and West Virginia (4). Among the persons with reported dates available, illnesses began between February 25, 2011 and September 10, 2011. Infected individuals ranged in age from less than one year old to 92 years old, and 31% of ill persons were 5 years of age or younger. Fifty-one percent of patients were female. Among the 62 patients with available information, 19 (31%) were hospitalized.