Multistate Outbreak of Human Salmonella Infections Linked to Live Poultry in Backyard Flocks
A total of 195 persons infected with the outbreak strains of Salmonella Infantis, Salmonella Newport…A total of 195 persons infected with the outbreak strains of Salmonella Infantis, Salmonella Newport, and Salmonella Lille were reported from 27 states.
The number of ill persons identified in each state was as follows: Alabama (4), Arizona (1), Arkansas (1), Delaware (1), Georgia (5), Illinois (4), Indiana (6), Kansas (1), Kentucky (11), Louisiana (1), Maryland (5), Maine (4), Massachusetts (7), Michigan (2), North Carolina (15), Nebraska (1), New Jersey (5), New York (23), Ohio (42), Pennsylvania (16), Rhode Island (2), South Carolina (2), Tennessee (11), Texas (2), Virginia (9), Vermont (3), and West Virginia (11).
34% of ill persons were hospitalized. Two deaths were reported.
33% of ill persons were children 10 years of age or younger.
Epidemiologic, laboratory, and traceback findings linked this outbreak of human Salmonella infections to contact with live poultry from Mt. Healthy Hatchery in Ohio.
Mail-order hatcheries, agricultural feed stores, and others that sell or display chicks, ducklings, and other live poultry should provide health-related information to owners and potential purchasers of these birds prior to the point of purchase.
This should include information about the risk of acquiring a Salmonella infection from contact with live poultry.
This particular outbreak appears to be over. However, Salmonella is an important cause of human illness in the United States. Because contact with any live poultry can be a source of human Salmonella infections, you should know how to protect yourself and your family from illness.