Salmonella Outbreak Investigation Leads to Wild Songbirds

CDC issued a report of an ongoing investigation into Salmonella associated with wild birds...not eating them of course, but handling feeders or even sick or dead birds.  So far there have been 19 Salmonella infections in 8 states (CA, KY, MS, NH, OK, OR, TN, WA) with eight of those people hospitalized.  The surprising thing here is that these states are on both sides of the nation, and generally birds do not cross the nation from east to west, although the bird at the center of the investigation, the Pine Siskin is a bit more sporadic in movement than other birds, something termed 'irruptive'.  They are similar to a goldfinch, especially a late season gold finch that no longer has the bright yellow colors.

Wild birds can carry various strains of Salmonella and some of those strains can make the birds sick.  More importantly, many of those strains can affect us.  Washing hands after handling feeders and keeping feeder clean is important.   CDC recommends a 9:1 mix of household bleach, which is a bit strong, so a really good rinse afterwards to remove any residual chlorine is important.  Personally, I feel this is a bit strong...the CDC uses this concentration for disinfecting surfaces for Ebola and such, but this is technically a food contact surface.   Plus, this concentration will be hard on your bird equipment.  If thoroughly clean, I would follow what Clorox recommends for your pets, which is a much weaker concentration.  https://www.clorox.com/how-to/disinfecting-sanitizing/disinfecting-with-bleach/pet-resource-tips/




Here is a picture of Pine Siskins mobbing my sunflowers.

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CDC Investigation Notice: CDC investigating Salmonella outbreak linked to wild songbirds
Media Statement
For Immediate Release: Friday, April 1, 2021

Contact: Media Relations
(404) 639-3286

A CDC Investigation Notice regarding a multistate outbreak of Salmonella infections has been posted: https://www.cdc.gov/salmonella/typhimurium-04-21/index.html

Key Points:

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  CDC is investigating an outbreak of 19 Salmonella infections in 8 states (CA, KY, MS, NH, OK, OR, TN, WA).
• Eight people have been hospitalized. No deaths have been reported.
• Interviews with sick people and laboratory testing from sick or dead birds show that contact with wild songbirds and bird feeders is likely making people sick in this outbreak.
• This outbreak is making both birds and humans sick. Salmonella can spread between species of birds, to pets, and to people.
• CDC will provide more information as it becomes available.
• You can get sick from touching a wild bird or something in its environment, such as a bird feeder or bird bath, and then touching your mouth or face with unwashed hands.
• Wild birds can carry Salmonella germs and still appear healthy and clean.

What You Should Do:

• Always wash your hands right after touching a bird feeder, bird bath, or after handling a bird – even if you wore gloves.
• Clean and disinfect your bird feeder and bird bath weekly or when they are visibly dirty. Feeders should be cleaned outside your house when possible. If you clean it indoors, use a laundry sink or bathtub, and thoroughly clean and disinfect the area right after.
• Keep pets away from bird feeders and bird baths and the areas under them.
• Do not touch or hand-feed wild birds with your bare hands.
• If you find a sick or dead bird, call your state wildlife agency or wildlife rehabilitator
• If you find a sick or dead bird in your yard, remove any bird feeders and baths for two weeks and clean them outdoors.

About Salmonella:

• Most people infected with Salmonella develop diarrhea, fever, and stomach cramps 6 hours to 6 days after being exposed to the bacteria.
• The illness usually lasts 4 to 7 days, and most people recover without treatment.
• In some people, the illness may be so severe that the patient is hospitalized. Salmonella infection may spread from the intestines to the bloodstream and then to other parts of the body.
• Children younger than 5, adults 65 and older, and people with weakened immune systems are more likely to have severe illness.
• If you have questions about cases in a particular state, please call that state’s health department.

https://www.cdc.gov/salmonella/typhimurium-04-21/index.html
Salmonella Outbreak Linked to Wild Songbirds
Investigation Notice
Posted April 1, 2021
Salmonella in Wild Songbirds and in People in the United States
Birds can carry germs like Salmonella while looking healthy and clean. However, there are reportsexternal icon of wild songbirds, such as pine siskins (small, streaked, yellow-tinged songbirds in the finch family) sick with the same strain of Salmonella that is making people sick in this outbreak. Salmonella germs can spread between species of birds, to pets, and to people.

You can get sick when you touch your mouth with unwashed hands after touching wild birds, bird feeders or bird baths, or your pets that have contact with wild birds.

What You Should Do

Help keep people and animals healthy around bird feeders and bird baths.

• Clean and disinfect your bird feeder and bird bath weekly or when they are visibly dirty.
• Clean feeders outside your house when possible. If you clean it indoors, use a laundry sink or bathtub, and thoroughly clean and disinfect the area right after. Do not clean bird feeders in your kitchen or places where food is prepared or stored.
• Follow these five steps to clean and disinfect your bird feeder:
• Scrub feeder with warm soapy water to remove dirt. Rinse with clean water to remove soap.
• Soak in a bleach solution (9 parts water and 1 part bleach) for at least 10 minutes.
• Rinse with water to remove any remaining bleach solution.
• Let it dry before refilling it.
• Wash your hands with soap and water after touching your bird feeder.
• Clean and refill your bird bath weekly or when it’s visibly dirty.
• Keep pets away from bird feeders and bird baths and the areas under them.
• If you find a sick or dead bird in your yard, remove your feeder and bath for two weeks and clean them outdoors.
• Do not touch or hand-feed wild birds with your bare hands.

If you find a sick bird, call your state wildlife agency or wildlife rehabilitator.

• If you find a dead bird, check with your state wildlife agency for information about reporting dead birds in your area.
• Some state and local agencies collect dead birds to test for diseases.
• If your local officials tell you to throw the dead bird away, wear gloves or place a plastic bag over your hand to pick it up. Place the bird in a plastic bag, tie the bag up, and throw it away, following your local officials’ instructions. Some locations may allow dead birds to be disposed of in your regular trash. Wash your hands with soap and water when you are finished.
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Always wash your hands with soap and water:
Right after touching your bird feeder or bird bath
Right after handling a bird, even if you wore gloves or used a bag
Right after touching your pet or pet’s supplies (like food, bowls, and toys)
Right after picking up your pet’s feces (poop), even if you used a bag
Before you eat or drink

Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any of these severe Salmonella symptoms:


Diarrhea and a fever higher than 102°F
Diarrhea for more than 3 days that is not improving
Bloody diarrhea
So much vomiting that you cannot keep liquids down
Signs of dehydration, such as:
Not urinating (peeing) much
Dry mouth and throat
Feeling dizzy when standing up
Symptoms of Salmonella
Most people infected with Salmonella experience diarrhea, fever, and stomach cramps.
Symptoms usually start 6 hours to 6 days after swallowing the bacteria.
Most people recover without treatment after 4 to 7 days.
Some people—especially children younger than 5 years, adults 65 years and older, and people with weakened immune systems—may experience more severe illnesses that require medical treatment or hospitalization.
For more information about Salmonella, see the Salmonella Questions and Answers page.