Backyard Chickens Linked To Latest Salmonella Outbreak In 13 States

The Centers for Disease Control have linked backyard poultry to a recent string of Salmonella cases that have popped up across 13 states over the last month. The outbreak of Salmonella Saintpaul has made 34 people ill, with 13 hospitalized.

Backyard Poultry To Blame For Outbreak

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), "contact with backyard poultry" is the cause of the reported outbreak. The CDC went on to state that interviews with those affected by the outbreak indicated that of the 29 who spoke with the CDC, "23 (79%) reported contact with backyard poultry." Poultry in this case means both chicks and ducklings.

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In Ohio, samples that were taken from poultry showed the same strain of Salmonella Saintpaul as those found in sick people.

States Affected By The Outbreak

So far, 13 states are known to have been affected by the outbreak, not Minnesota, but those who have traveled to Wisconsin or other parts of the Midwest may have come into contact with the strain. The states that have reported at least on case of Salmonella Saintpaul were:

• Wisconsin
• Michigan
• Ohio
• Maine
• New Hampshire
• Maryland
• West Virginia
• Illinois
• Indiana
• Kentucky
• Tennessee
• Mississippi
• Florida

What Is Salmonella Saintpaul?

According to the CDC, this strain of bacteria is dangerous as it can be drug-resistant, and has had previous outbreaks linked to jalapeno peppers, cucumbers, and ground beef. 8 samples collected from the CDC "predicted resistance to one or more of the following antibiotics: chloramphenicol, streptomycin, sulfisoxazole, and tetracycline."

What Can You Do To Reduce The Risk Of Getting Sick?

The CDC offers up some advice for those around backyard poultry to wash their hands often, don't kiss or snuggle the chicks or ducklings, and if children are around the animals, to have them wash their hands well. Children younger than 5 shouldn't be exposed to poultry.

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