Americans are being asked not to kiss or embrace chickens, that's why!

As they face an outbreak of salmonella virus in the United States, they have new warnings.

U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are appealing to Americans not to kiss or embrace chickens.

The agency says that birds carrying bacteria are responsible for infecting 52 people in 21 countries.

In fact, health officials say most of the infections have been linked to birds in the backyard, especially chickens and beasts.

So far, five people have been admitted to the hospital, but no deaths have been reported.