A toddler from Repentigny was hospitalized at the end of July after coming into contact with urban hens.
“He had a fever, it had been a few days. But of course at 15 months, he’s teething too, so we thought it was just that. Then, the fourth day of fever, there, we were a little more worried, because there was blood in his stool, ”says Monika Robert, mother of little Ludovik.
The family therefore presented to the emergency room of the CHU Sainte-Justine, where the doctors carried out examinations and placed the boy under observation.
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A few hours later, a microbiologist and infectious disease specialist tells them that Ludovik has bacteria in his blood, but he does not yet know which one.
“They immediately put him on an intravenous antibiotic to make sure it was neutralized,” recalls the mother.
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After further testing, the doctors finally concluded that it was the salmonella bacteria.
A Public Health investigation found that little Ludovik contracted the bacteria after coming into contact with urban chickens.
Salmonella can be found, among other things, in the feces of chickens.
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Ludovik touched it when he was with friends and brought his hands to his mouth. The bacteria then entered his body.
“The hen can easily get it on her feathers. There will also be some on the surface of the eggs, then when it is hot enough, inoculum. Therefore, the quantity of bacteria will be sufficient for the child, when he puts his hands to his mouth, to ingest bacteria, ”explains Dr. Valérie Lamarre, microbiologist and infectious disease specialist at CHU Sainte-Justine.
Turtles and reptiles are also carriers of the salmonella bacteria.
“After three days of antibiotics, we started to find our little Ludo in good health”, rejoices Monika Robert, who now wishes to warn other parents of the dangers that urban chickens can represent.
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After having been in contact with chickens, it is therefore very important to supervise children so that they do not put their hands to their mouths before washing them.
– d‘after the information of Harold Gagné
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