Raising backyard chickens is a popular pastime for people in Michigan, but it's also making people sick.
New data from the CDC links live poultry in backyard flocks to a multi-state outbreak of salmonella.
At last check there are more than 200 cases in 44 states, including Michigan, which has ten cases.
Of those illnesses, 26% of them are children under the age of five.
The outbreak has been linked to contact with chicks and ducklings that came from feed supply stores, hatcheries, websites, and from relatives.
The easiest way to avoid getting sick with salmonella:
-Wash your hands right after touching live poultry, or anything in the area where they live and roam.
-Do not let your chickens inside the house, or anywhere near where food or drink is being prepared, or served.
-As cute as you think they are, do not snuggle, or kiss the birds.
Since the year 2000, 70 salmonella outbreaks have been linked to backyard poultry.
At least seven people have died.
