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Content originally produced by Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development  May 20, 2015:

Numerous cases of Salmonella Enteritidis (SE) have been detected in both poultry and people handling poultry in Alberta, British Columbia and Saskatchewan. At this time, it appears that all poultry involved in these cases were sourced from a common hatchery. The Public Health Agency of Canada has activated their Outbreak Investigation Coordinating Committee to coordinate information sharing between stakeholders. Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development (AARD) is coordinating the animal health investigation in Alberta and is working closely with Alberta Health and Alberta Health Services on their public health investigation.

Salmonella Enteritidis is a bacterium that can cause gastroenteritis in people. SE can infect chickens and can cause severe disease in young birds (high mortality in those birds less than 2 weeks of age), but does not cause noticeable disease in older birds. As a result, people can acquire Salmonellosis through direct contact with (touching, carrying) infected birds. Additional sources of human infection can include improper handling or inadequate cooking of contaminated poultry products (eggs and meat).

AARD will be contacting producers who received chicks from the hatchery and will offer testing for SE.

If you have questions regarding your animals speak to your veterinarian.  In case of human illness contact Health Link Alberta 24 hours a day toll-free at 1-866-408-LINK (5465) for health advice. 

Additional Resources:

Protect yourself and your family! Tips for the safe handling of chicks and live poultry

Public Health Agency of Canada fact sheet

Public Health Agency of Canada public health notice May 25, 2015