The number of people sickened by three multistate outbreaks of the Salmonella bacterium has rocketed to 184. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported yesterday there are 150 new cases since April 23, though the true number of sick people is likely higher.
At least 54 people have been hospitalized and one person died in Washington state, according to the CDC. Over a quarter of people sickened in this outbreak are children under 5 years old, with a median age of 31 years.
Cases tied to 5 hatcheries
The cases appear linked to five hatcheries that supply birds to retailers and involve three strains: Salmonella Saintpaul, Salmonella Mbandaka, and Salmonella Enteritidis.
It’s fairly common to have several Salmonella outbreaks involving backyard flocks at the same time, said Brian Ronholm, MA, director of food policy for Consumer Reports.
“Multiple strains can exist in the chicken’s gut and all those chicks can contaminate the store where they are sold and pass it on to other chicks at the store,” he said.
The outbreak caused by Salmonella Saintpaul is the largest, involving 133 people, or 72% of those sickened in the outbreaks. The CDC says patients infected with this strain have, “more frequently reported contact with ducklings or ducks, specifically Pekin ducks, versus other outbreaks, where most patients reported contact with chicks and chickens.”
Salmonella infections linked to backyard poultry are fairly common. One outbreak that lasted from late December 2024 to early September 2025 involved multiple strains that infected at least 559 people, two of whom died.
Don’t cuddle with chickens
Birds that appear healthy can carry Salmonella. To avoid illness, people with backyard flocks should collect eggs often, cook the eggs until both the yolk and white are firm, and wash their hands after handling birds or eggs. People should not snuggle or kiss their poultry.
Most cases of Salmonella illness last four to seven days and resolve without treatment. Symptoms include cramping, nausea, fever, chills, and headache. The CDC says reasons people should see a doctor include dehydration, bloody stool, or if they have both diarrhea and a fever higher than 102°F.
