Salmonella Outbreak Linked to Backyard Poultry: Health Officials Report
NEW YORK — A new salmonella outbreak connected to backyard chickens has affected at least seven individuals across six states, according to health officials’ reports released on Monday.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) confirmed that two cases were reported in Missouri, with additional cases in Florida, Illinois, South Dakota, Utah, and Wisconsin. These infections occurred in February and March of this year, and all those affected were found to have the same strain of salmonella, which has previously been tied to hatcheries.
Health officials are continuing their investigation into this outbreak. Salmonella is a concerning concern as it causes approximately 1.35 million infections annually in the United States. While many recent outbreaks have been linked to food sources like cucumbers and eggs, this latest situation underscores a critical issue: backyard poultry can carry salmonella bacteria even if they appear healthy.
In fact, a previous outbreak related to backyard poultry, which concluded last year, resulted in 470 cases across 48 states, including one fatality. This emphasizes the importance of being cautious when handling backyard chickens and other poultry, ensuring proper hygiene practices to avoid potential infections.
Health authorities advise all poultry owners to be vigilant and educated about the risks related to salmonella, even in healthy-looking birds.
