1 person dead and hundreds sickened after touching chickens that spread Salmonella

• 1 person died and hundreds more became sick with Salmonella after touching outdoor chickens.
• The CDC is warning people to wash their hands after handling chickens and their eggs, and to remove any dirt.

One person died and hundreds more became sick with the bacteria Salmonella after touching outdoor chickens.

Between February 15 and May 19, Salmonella spread across 38 states, causing 219 illnesses, 27 hospitalizations, and one death, according to a June 9 CDC report on its website. 26% of the people who became sick were children under 5, and the median age was 29. The person who died from Salmonella lived in Tennessee.

When government officials interviewed 87 of the infected people, they found 61 said they touched backyard chickens before becoming sick. 16 people said they ate eggs from backyard chickens and two said they ate meat from them.

Now, the CDC is warning consumers and poultry sellers about Salmonella symptoms, and sharing best practices for handling chickens and their eggs to prevent future outbreaks.

According to the CDC, there are likely more infections than their report showed.

"This is because many people recover without medical care and are not tested for Salmonella. In addition, recent illnesses may not yet be reported as it usually takes 2 to 4 weeks to determine if a sick person is part of an outbreak," they wrote.

If a person consumes something with Salmonella, it can take between six hours and six days to show symptoms, which can include diarrhea, fever, and stomach cramps. Usually, someone infected with the bacteria will recover on their own after four to seven days, according to the CDC.

People with weakened immune systems, including people over 65 and children under 5, are more likely to experience severe sickness or need hospitalization.

If you have diarrhea for more than three days, a 102°F fever and diarrhea, blood in your stool, vomit to the point you can't retain liquids, or have signs of dehydration, you should contact your medical provider, the CDC said.

To prevent getting sick, wash your hands after handling backyard chickens or their eggs, the CDC said. They also said to throw away cracked eggs and to collect eggs often to prevent them from getting dirty. Eggs should be clean of dirt, refrigerated, and then cooked to 160°F.

You also shouldn't eat or drink around backyard chickens, or kiss or cuddle them. Keep any supplies you use to care for them out of your house, according to the CDC website.