Caution Needed with Backyard Poultry
The U.S. CDC is investigating 10 separate multistate outbreaks of Salmonella infections in people who had contact with live poultry from backyard flocks. Almost 1000 people have been sickened, 215 of those required hospitalization. and one person has died. Researchers have isolated at least 10 different strains from those affected. PositiveTip: Always wash your hands with soap and…
Read MoreMeat and Poultry Harbor Staph
The staphylococcus aureus bacteria (also known as Staph) is a common cause of skin infections in the United States. This germ causes painful, red, swollen boils that drain thick pus. Under some circumstances, Staph can invade deeper into the body and cause infections of internal organs, heart valves, and even death. Staph is increasingly becoming resistant to…
Read MoreMulti-drug Resistant Staph Found in Supermarket Meats
Arizona researchers purchased various cuts of meat from supermarkets in five U.S. cities, and found 47% of them contaminated with Staphylococcus aureus, a very common pathogen. Surprisingly, 96% of the staph isolates were resistant to at least one common antibiotic, and 52% were resistant to at least three that are commonly used in human and veterinary…
Read MorePoultry Is No. 1 Source of Food Poisoning
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control has reported that poultry (chicken and turkey) are the leading cause of foodborne illness, and accounted for 17% of food poisoning cases. Beef was close behind at 16%, followed by leafy vegetables at 14%. Most of these foodborne illnesses are preventable by using basic common sense steps for cleaning,…
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