SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (AP) - The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says a salmonella outbreak that has sickened dozens of people has been linked to a mail-order poultry hatchery in southwest Missouri.
The CDC said Tuesday that 76 people in 22 states have been infected with a strain of salmonella linked to contact with chicks, ducklings, and other live baby poultry from Estes Hatchery in Springfield. A phone message left at the business wasn't immediately returned Tuesday evening.
The CDC says 17 people were hospitalized. About one-third of the infected people were children.
The agency says businesses that sell baby poultry need to provide information about the risk of acquiring salmonella from handling live poultry. The CDC says hand-washing is recommended after touching live poultry or anything in the area where they're kept.