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Local News

Keep healthy around animals this spring

Do you plan on getting baby animals for Easter or to raise for the upcoming fair season? Or are you thinking of taking some spring family photos that include animals? asks the Ionia County Health Department in a news release.

 

If so, the health department says, it is important to remember that many types of animals, including small mammals such as mice, rabbits, and rats, backyard  birds such chickens, ducks, and turkeys, and various livestock animals including cows and pigs, can potentially carry bacteria such as Salmonella and E. coli.

 

People can catch these diseases from animals, and unfortunately these diseases can cause people to become seriously ill. Here are a few steps that can help you to protect yourself and your family from some of the germs that animals can carry.

 

Keeping our hands clean is one of the most important steps we can take to avoid getting sick from animals and spreading germs to others.

Follow these steps to wash your hands. Wet your hands with clean, running water (warm or cold), then apply soap andlather hands by rubbing them together, rubbing the bcks hands between yor fingers and underthe nails.

 

Lather the soap iby rubbing them together, making sure to rub the backs of your hands, between the fingers, and under the nails. Scrub your hands for at least 20 seconds (as long it takes to sing  “Happy Birthday” twice). Rinse well with clean, running water, and air dry or dry with a towel  

 

Here are some other important steps to remember when around animals:

*Don’t snuggle, kiss, or touch your mouth to small mammals, chicks, or ducklings

*Children under five should avoid touching baby chicks and ducklings completely

*Don’t give live baby chicks and ducklings to young children as gifts

*Do not bring baby chicks or ducklings into schools, childcare centers, or nursing homes

*Do not keep baby chicks or ducklings inside the house where people live, eat, or sleep

*Keep animals away from areas where food or drink is prepared, served, or stored

*Pregnant women, immune-compromised persons and those with HIV/AIDS should take extra

precautions when choosing and handling pets.

 

For more information on how to safely keep and interact with animals, visit the following CDC websites:

Farm animals: https://goo.gl/voyVy5  

Poultry: https://goo.gl/Bmi1nP 

Small mammals: https://goo.gl/siZUet.

 

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