Media doesn’t tell people what to think; but it does tell people what to think about.

And that includes doctors, epidemiologists and other mere mortals.

So the numerous previous chick-related Salmonella outbreaks mean people of all professions may be more attuned to the chick link.

The outbreak is the fourth linked to mail-order chicks and ducklings since 2011.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control reports at least 66 persons have been infected with the outbreak strain of Salmonella Montevideo in 20 states; 16 ill persons have been hospitalized. One death was reported in Missouri, but Salmonella infection was not considered a contributing factor in this person’s death.

35% of ill persons are children 10 years of age or younger.

Epidemiologic, laboratory, and traceback findings have linked this outbreak of human Salmonella infections to contact with chicks, ducklings, and other live baby poultry from Estes Hatchery in Springfield, Missouri.

CDC, why didn’t you say Hatchery A, or Hatchery A in Missouri? What are the guidelines on publicly fingering sources of food- or chick-related illness?