Warning after outbreaks of Salmonella: Please do not kiss your hens

Americans have been warned not to kiss or snuggle with their pet chickens, or to let them in, as the United States faces multiple outbreaks of Salmonella.

According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 1,000 people have been infected with the bacteria in 49 states.

Two people in Ohio and Texas have died and nearly 200 have been hospitalized during the series of outbreaks involving several different strains of Salmonella.

Contact with backyard poultry, including chickens and ducklings, would be the cause. Two-thirds of the people surveyed reported having recently handled poultry.

The CDC warned that healthy and healthy chickens could still carry Salmonella.

Chicken owners have been warned not to leave their hooks on the inside and to clean their hands thoroughly with soap and water after touching the birds or their place of residence.

Children under 5 and adults over 65 should not touch them at all, said the CDC notice.

"Do not leave backyard poultry in the home, especially in areas where food or beverages are prepared, served or stored.

"Put aside a pair of shoes to wear while taking care of the poultry and keep these shoes on the outside of the house," the statement said.

"Do not eat or drink where poultry live or roam, do not kiss backyard poultry and do not snuggle them before touching your face or mouth."

The CDC guidelines also suggest collecting eggs frequently, putting them in the refrigerator and cleaning them with sand paper, a brush or a cloth.

Do not wash the eggs while they are still hot because cold water can draw bacteria into the egg, the CDC says.