Salmonella outbreak linked to backyard chickens prompts CDC investigation

Ahjané Forbes, USA TODAY
·2 min read

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is conducting an investigation into a Salmonella outbreak that is linked to backyard poultry.

Salmonella is a bacteria that can cause people to experience diarrhea, fever and stomach cramps. Symptoms can appear between six hours and six days of infection and will last for four to seven days, the CDC said.

The CDC alert came after an investigation showed backyard poultry - including chickens and ducks - have sickened 109 people, including 33 who were hospitalized.

Bird flu virus: Concerns grow in US, so do tests of milk, cheese, meat and other foods

What states have reported a Salmonella outbreak?

  • Alabama: 6 cases

  • Arkansas: 5 cases

  • Arizona: 1 case

  • California: 3 cases

  • Colorado: 3 cases

  • Georgia: 2 cases

  • Illinois: 4 cases

  • Indiana: 1 case

  • Kansas: 4 cases

  • Louisiana: 1 case

  • Massachusetts: 1 case

  • Minnesota: 5 cases

  • Mississippi: 3 cases

  • Missouri: 19 cases

  • Montana: 2 cases

  • Nebraska: 6 cases

  • New Mexico: 2 cases

  • North Carolina: 1 case

  • Ohio: 1 case

  • Oklahoma: 11 cases

  • Oregon: 2 cases

  • Pennsylvania: 2 cases

  • Rhode Island: 2 cases

  • South Carolina:  1 case

  • Tennessee: 1 case

  • Texas: 14 cases

  • Utah: 1 case

  • Washington: 3 cases

  • Wisconsin: 2 cases

CDC Investigation Details

More than 100 people had contact with backyard poultry in 29 states reported being infected with salmonella between Feb. 28and April 30, according to the CDC, which provided this breakdown of the cases:

Demographics

Information

Age

Range from 1 to 93 years oldMedian age of 1043% under 5 years

Sex

55% female45% male

Race

89% White4% African American/Black1% Native American or Alaska Native1% Asian1% Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander3% reported more than one racePercentages do not total 100 due to rounding.

Ethnicity

80% non-Hispanic20% Hispanic

Advice from the CDC

The CDC shared the following advice if you encounter backyard poultry:

  • Wash your hands with soap and water after touching backyard poultry, their eggs or anything within their vicinity.

    • You can use hand sanitizer if soap is not available.

  • Keep yourself and your areas clean to prevent a potential infection.

    • Don't kiss or hug the animals.

    • Don't eat or drink around them.

    • Clean the supplies you use to care for them outside of your house.

    • Don't wear the shoes you wear in the coop inside of your house.

  • Keep an eye on children around the animals.

    • Don’t let children younger than 5 years old touch the animals.

  • Don't wash eggs in cold water. Instead use a cloth to get off excess dirt and remember to refrigerate them.

Ahjané Forbes is a reporter on the National Trending Team at USA TODAY. Ahjané covers breaking news, car recalls, crime, health, lottery and public policy stories. Email her at aforbes@gannett.com. Follow her on Instagram, Threads and X (Twitter).

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Backyard chicken salmonella cases in 29 states lead to CDC probe