Salmonella Cases Linked to Backyard Chickens Continues to Increase

Chickens can carry Salmonella, and if you raise chickens, you need to be aware of that you have an increased risk of Salmonella infection.  But as the backyard chicken craze continues, more people are becoming infected with Salmonella.

CDC has a nice publication regarding backyard flocks - https://www.cdc.gov/Features/SalmonellaPoultry/index.html

Follow these guidelines - including washing your hands after handling birds -  and you will reduce your risk.

CDC Outbreak Notice
https://www.cdc.gov/salmonella/live-poultry-06-17/index.html
Multistate Outbreaks of Human Salmonella Infections Linked to Live Poultry in Backyard Flocks, 2017
Posted August 21, 2017 11:00 AM ET

Outbreak Advisory
961  Cases
48 States
215 Hospitalizations
1 Death

• Since the last update on July 13, 2017, 172 more ill people have been reported. The most recent illness began on July 31, 2017.
• CDC and multiple states are investigating 10 separate multistate outbreaks of Salmonella infections in people who had contact with live poultry in backyard flocks. 
• These outbreaks are caused by several DNA fingerprints of different Salmonella bacteria: Salmonella Braenderup, Salmonella Enteritidis, Salmonella Hadar, Salmonella I 4,[5],12:i-, Salmonella Indiana, Salmonella Infantis, Salmonella Litchfield, Salmonella Mbandaka, Salmonella Muenchen, and Salmonella Typhimurium.
• The outbreak strains of Salmonella have infected a reported 961 people in 48 states and the District of Columbia. 
• Illnesses started on dates ranging from January 4, 2017 to July 31, 2017.
• 215 ill people have been hospitalized. One death has been reported.
• Epidemiologic, traceback, and laboratory findings link the 10 outbreaks to contact with live poultry, such as chicks and ducklings, from multiple hatcheries. 
• In interviews, 498 (74%) of 672 ill people reported contact with live poultry in the week before illness started.
• Contact with live poultry or their environment can make people sick with Salmonella infections. Live poultry can be carrying Salmonella bacteria but appear healthy and clean, with no sign of illness.