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Kittitas (pronounced 'KITT-i-tass') County is located in central Washington State. It spans from the lush forested Cascade Mountains to the upper Yakima River Valley plains and the Columbia River.
Kittitas County, WA - 03/27/2018 - With the arrival of spring, the Kittitas County Public Health Department (KCPHD) wants to remind residents to use precautions when handling backyard chickens and ducklings. Even when baby birds look healthy, they may have germs like Salmonella, which can be on the bird or on cages or other things the bird touches.
In addition to Salmonella, poultry also carry Campylobacter. Both Salmonella and Campylobacter have symptoms of diarrhea, cramps, vomiting, and a fever. In Kittitas County, there were six reported cases of Salmonella in 2016 and 7 in 2017. One of the cases in 2017 was in a young child, where handling chicks was likely the source of infection. According to the Washington State Department of Health, “after you touch a duck or a chick, wash your hands, so you don’t get sick.” Further safety precautions include:
Kittitas County, from the Cascades to the Columbia, and online at http://www.co.kittitas.wa.us
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Contact: Kasey Knutson, Public Information Officer, 509-962-7515