CDC Issues Warning on Multi-State Salmonella Outbreak

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) sent an alert about an ongoing investigation into a salmonella outbreak it says may involve backyard chickens and ducks. The notice, posted last week, said that 109 people from 29 states have gotten sick from the bacteria after caring for or touching backyard poultry. Thirty-three people have been hospitalized, and no deaths have been reported, the agency said, adding that about 43 percent of the cases are among children aged 5 and under. The states with the highest number of cases are Missouri, Texas, and Oklahoma, according to a map posted by the agency. “Backyard poultry, such as chickens and ducks, can carry salmonella germs even if they look healthy and clean,” the CDC said. “These germs can easily spread to anything in the areas where the poultry live and roam. You can get sick from touching your backyard poultry or anything in their environment and then touching your mouth or food and swallowing Salmonella germs.”...