On May 23, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) informed the public about an ongoing investigation: a Salmonella outbreak has been traced to backyard poultry, such as chickens and ducks, in 29 states. To date, the outbreak has resulted in 109 illnesses and 33 hospitalizations, with no reported deaths; notably, 43% of those infected were under five years old.
The CDC reports that backyard poultry can harbor Salmonella and spread it to their surrounding environments. Infection can occur through contact with the infected birds or contaminated surfaces, followed by touching the mouth or food. Consuming food contaminated with Salmonella can also lead to illness.
What Is Salmonella?
Salmonella is a bacterium that can cause illness in humans. Symptoms of Salmonella infection include diarrhea, fever, stomach cramps, and dehydration, typically appearing six hours to six days after exposure. Most individuals recover without treatment within four to seven days.
However, Salmonella can lead to severe infections requiring medical attention, especially in young children, the elderly, and individuals with weakened immune systems. The CDC estimates approximately 1.35 million infections, 26,500 hospitalizations, and 420 deaths annually in the United States due to Salmonella, primarily from food sources.
The CDC notes illnesses have occurred from contact with infected backyard poultry, their environments, and contaminated eggs. Notably, there have been no reports of illness from consuming meat of these birds.
How To Avoid Contracting Salmonella
To reduce the risk of Salmonella infection, the CDC advises the following precautions when handling backyard poultry and their eggs:
- Always wash your hands or use hand sanitizer after interacting with birds, their eggs, or any areas they access
- Discourage children from kissing or cuddling backyard poultry
- Avoid eating or drinking near the birds
- Keep poultry care equipment outside the home
- Collect eggs frequently to prevent contamination
- Discard any cracked eggs
- Remove dirt from shells without washing them with cold water to avoid drawing germs into the egg
- Ensure eggs are cooked to an internal temperature of 160°F
- Contact a healthcare provider promptly if you experience Salmonella symptoms
