(Photo : Reuters)

The salmonella outbreak in the United States, which already killed 181 people, is believed to have been partly caused by kissing and hugging chickens.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), "Eighty-six percent of the 95 ill people who were interviewed reported contact with live poultry in the week before their illness began" with many of them believed to be raising poultry in their home or even cuddling or kissing, which increases a person's risk of acquiring salmonella.

A person infected with salmonella usually manifests the following symptoms: diarrhea, fever, dehydration and abdominal cramps. While an individual could eventually recover from salmonella even without treatment, the bacteria could lead to complications, which, if not given any remedy, could lead to death

Salmonella is usually acquired by eating, handling infected foods, or getting contact with a salmonella-carrying bacteria.

"Ill people reported purchasing live poultry for backyard flocks to produce eggs or meat, or to keep as pets," a statement from the CDC explained why people are keeping poultry in their backyards. In fact, more and more homeowners have been raising chickens as pets.

"Many ill people in these outbreaks reported bringing the live poultry into their homes, and others reported kissing or cuddling with the live poultry. These behaviors increase a person's risk of a salmonella infection," the statement continues.

CDC estimates that around 1.2 million people are affected by salmonella every year, with 450 deaths recorded on an annual basis.