A report issued by the U.S. Center for Disease Control earlier this month has linked 14 cases of salmonella in Montana to backyard poultry flocks. These 14 cases are part of eight larger outbreaks that have sickened 611 people in 45 states.

Salmonella is an intestinal bacteria that can have symptoms including diarrhea, fever, and stomach cramps. Most people infected with salmonella recover after a few days, but in rare cases some are hospitalized due to severe illness. Poultry can often carry salmonella without showing any symptoms of illness.

The CDC does not discourage backyard flocks and instead released advice to backyard flock owners to best avoid salmonella.

The most important thing an owner can do is wash their hands thoroughly with soap and water after handling live poultry or handling anything in the area where the birds live and roam.

If soap and water are not immediately available, the CDC recommends using a hand sanitizer and then washing hands with soap and water as soon as possible. Adults should oversee children washing their hands. The CDC also recommends avoiding touching the face, particularly near they eyes or mouth, after handling live poultry or anything in the area until hands have been sufficiently washed. Along those same lines, a person should never snuggle or kiss a chicken, touch one’s mouth, or eat and drink near live poultry.

Live poultry should not be allowed inside the house, especially anywhere food and drink are stored, prepared, or eaten. The CDC also recommends staying outdoors when cleaning any equipment or materials used to raise or care for live poultry, including cages or feed and water containers.

For more information, visit http://www.cdc.gov/salmonella/live-poultry-05-16/advice.html.