A Salmonella Outbreak Has Been Linked to Chickens in 29 States

On May 23, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) notified the public of an ongoing investigation: Salmonella has been linked to backyard poultry, like chickens and ducks, in 29 states. So far, the outbreak has been linked to 109 illnesses, 33 hospitalizations, and no deaths—43% of the infected people were under five years old.

According to the CDC, backyard poultry can carry Salmonella and spread to areas where they roam. You can get sick by touching the infected poultry or any surfaces that carry the bacteria and then swallowing it by touching your mouth or food. You can also get sick by eating food contaminated with Salmonella.

What Is Salmonella? 

Salmonella is a bacteria that can make people sick. Signs of Salmonella poisoning include diarrhea, fever, stomach cramps, and dehydration. Symptoms start six hours to six days after exposure to the bacteria. Most people recover without any treatment after four to seven days.

Salmonella may cause infections that require medical treatment or hospitalization and may be fatal for young children, the elderly, and those with compromised immune systems. The CDC estimates that every year, Salmonella causes 1.35 million infections, 26,500 hospitalizations, and 420 deaths in the United States, and food is the most common source.

The CDC’s report states people got sick from touching infected backyard poultry, the surfaces in areas they roam in, and their infected eggs. No one has gotten ill eating the meat of the infected backyard poultry.

How To Avoid Getting Sick with Salmonella

To avoid getting sick with Salmonella, the CDC recommends the following when handling backyard poultry and their eggs:

• Wash your hands or use hand sanitizer after touching them, their eggs, or any surfaces they roam in
• Children should not kiss or snuggle backyard poultry
• Do not eat or drink around them
• Keep any supplies used to care for them outside your home
• Collect eggs often so they don’t sit in the nest and become contaminated
• Throw away cracked eggs
• Brush off any dirt on the shells, but do not wash them with cold water—you risk pulling germs into the egg
• Cook eggs until they reach 160°F
• Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any symptoms of Salmonella