The Victorian Health Department is urging owners of backyard chickens to observe safe handling practices, following a surge in salmonella infections.
The Department has been advised of nine cases of salmonella over the past two months — five of them in people who had contact with chickens or ate eggs from household flocks.
Most of the cases are from households across Melbourne's western and northern suburbs, with cases also in Gippsland and western Victoria.
Deputy Chief Health Officer, Angie Bone, said salmonella enteritidis poisoning can be avoided.
"There are a number of diseases that you can get from animals, and it's always really important to make sure that you maintain good hygiene when in contact," Dr Bone said.
"It's really important that people wash their hands after they've touched chickens, or they've been in the coop, or they've handled their litter or feed.
"Kids love touching the chickens and playing with them — but they need to be supervised when they're around chickens and avoid cuddling or kissing the chickens."
Bad eggs
Dr Bone said it is important to examine the quality of any egg before consumption.
"You shouldn't use cracked, damaged or heavily-soiled eggs," she said.
"Lightly-soiled eggs need to be wiped down with a dry cloth or tissue, do not wash them as washing eggs can sometimes put salmonella from the outside into the egg through the shells pores."
Salmonella enteritidis is a very intrusive form of infection.
Dr Bone said it enters the egg before it is laid — whereas most salmonella gets onto the egg as it is laid, from exposure to the chicken's stool.
"This is deep inside the egg, so it's really important that you cook eggs properly, particularly for this type of salmonella," she said.
"I understand that people like runny eggs, but all I would say is recognise the risk."
Dr Bone said vulnerable people such as infants, the elderly, and those with medical conditions which weaken their immune system should be especially cautious.
"They're the people I would say need to be very careful about the way they're cooking, storing and handling eggs," she said.
'Very serious infection'
Dr Bone encourages people to go to the doctor or emergency room if you suspect you may be infected, and said symptoms begin 48–72 hours after exposure and can last up to a week.
"[Symptoms] are not like a 24-hour viral infection — it goes on for a while and you feel pretty rough," she said.
"The main differential is that with salmonella you can sometimes get a fever in addition to the abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting and it lasts longer."
Agriculture Victoria has confirmed salmonella enteritidis has been detected at a commercial egg farm and it is likely chickens from this farm were sold to one of the affected backyard flocks, however this is still under investigation.
This farm is under quarantine and no eggs are in the marketplace.
