The health department in Coldwater, Missouri, has put out an advisory concerning Salmonella after the Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency received reports this month of Salmonella cases that have been possibly linked to the handling of live baby chicks.

Officials say that often, live baby poultry may be put on display at stores where children may be able to touch the birds and while they are soft and cute, many people do not realize the potential danger they can carry, especially for children. Live poultry may have Salmonella germs in their droppings and on their bodies even when they appear healthy and clean. While it usually doesn’t make the birds sick, Salmonella can cause serious illness when it is passed to people.