Nine people from New Mexico and four other states have been reported with salmonella infections in the past two months, and six of those cases are linked to young poultry from a New Mexico hatchery. The state Health Department is not identifying the hatchery pending the completion of the investigation.

Seven of the nine cases in March and April were in children age 1 or younger, the New Mexico agency said. Most people recover without medication or treatment, but that young children can suffer from more severe symptoms.

Health officials recommend that young children avoid contact with poultry and that people who handle baby chicks, ducks or other poultry thoroughly wash their hands with soup and water afterward. Poultry also should be kept outdoors in an area separate from young children or sources of food.