The Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS) and the Department of Livestock (DOL) encourage safe handling of live poultry to prevent potential human illness.
According to public health, spring is a common time for Montanans to be raising young birds but want to make sure you are aware of the risks. Poultry can carry bacteria like Salmonella without showing any sign of a disease.
As of Friday, May 29th, 2020 there have been 36 cases of salmonellosis in Montana so far this year. In about 30% of those cases, the victims made contact with live poultry days before becoming ill. Public Health says that number is higher than normal.