CDC Warns of ‘Salmonella’ Outbreaks Linked to Backyard Poultry Flocks

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A CDC investigation notice regarding outbreaks of Salmonella infections has been posted: https://www.cdc.gov/salmonella/backyardpoultry-05-24/index.html

Key Points:

109 people from 29 states have gotten sick from Salmonella after touching or caring for backyard poultry. 33 people have been hospitalized and no deaths have been reported.
In this outbreak, 43% of the people infected with Salmonella are under 5 years old.
Backyard poultry can carry Salmonella germs even if they look healthy and clean. These germs can easily spread to anything in the areas where the poultry live and roam.
You can get sick from touching your backyard poultry or anything in their environment and then touching your mouth or food and swallowing Salmonella germs.

What You Should Do:

Wash your hands immediately after touching backyard poultry, their eggs, or anything in the area where they live and roam.
Supervise kids around flocks.Young children are more likely to become very ill from Salmonella.
Don’t kiss or snuggle backyard poultry, and don’t eat or drink around them. This can spread Salmonella germs to your mouth and make you sick.
Handle eggs safely.
Call you healthcare provider right away if you are experiencing any severe symptoms of Salmonella.

What Stores Selling Backyard Poultry Should Do:

Source poultry from hatcheries that take steps to reduce Salmonella contamination.
Clean and sanitize poultry display areas between shipments of new poultry.
This informational poster describes ways to stay healthy with backyard flocks. Place it right beside flock display areas, and hand it out to customers.

What Backyard Poultry Hatcheries Should Do:

Use best management practices to help prevent Salmonella in poultry.
Participate in the voluntary USDA-NPIP U.S. Salmonella Monitored Program and certify that your flocks are monitored for Salmonella germs.
Provide health information to owners and potential buyers of poultry before purchase.

Salmonella Symptoms:

Most people infected with Salmonella experience diarrhea, fever, and stomach cramps.
- Symptoms usually start 6 hours to 6 days after swallowing the bacteria.
- Most people recover without treatment after 4 to 7 days.
Some people—especially children younger than 5 years, adults 65 years and older, and people with weakened immune systems—may experience more severe illnesses that require medical treatment or hospitalization.
For more information about Salmonella, see the Salmonella Questions and Answers page.

If you have questions about cases in a particular state, please call that state’s health department.