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SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) - State health officials say a national outbreak of salmonella has been linked to an eastern New Mexico hatchery that sells live baby poultry by mail and supplies them to feed stores.
The Department of Health said Monday a strain of salmonella that's infected more than 300 people in 37 states was found in a duck pen at Privett Hatchery in Portales.
State Public Health Veterinarian Paul Ettestad says the hatchery is most likely the source of the outbreak. But he says questions remain because federal officials have found that the people sickened with salmonella bought baby poultry at 113 feed store locations that were supplied by 18 mail order hatcheries in several states.
People buy baby poultry such as chicks and ducks to keep as pets and to raise for eggs or meat.
Privett Hatchery said in a statement on its website that it's cooperating with health officials.
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