Multistate salmonella outbreak tied to backyard chickens, CDC says

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is investigating a multistate outbreak of salmonella infections that are linked to backyard chickens.

On Thursday, the health agency said that a total of 163 people were infected across 43 states, including one person in Florida. Health officials said the total number of infected people is “likely much higher.”

Illnesses started around Feb. 12, 2021, through April 25, 2021, the CDC said. Epidemiologic and laboratory data claims that contact with backyard poultry is making people sick.

The highest number of salmonella cases from backyard poultry were reported in North Carolina and Iowa, followed by California, Virginia and Georgia.

People that were infected in the outbreak ranged in age from less than a year old to 87 years old. The CDC said 58 percent of cases are female, and of the 109 people with information available to health officials, 34 have been hospitalized.

No deaths have been reported in connection to the outbreak.

Most people infected with salmonella experience fever, diarrhea, and stomach cramps, the CDC said. Symptoms typically start around six hours to six days after consuming the bacteria. People usually recover after about a week.

Young children, older adults or people with weakened immune systems could experience more severe illnesses that may require medical treatment.

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