Salmonella sickens 34 across 13 states

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is investigating a multistate Salmonella outbreak linked to backyard poultry after 34 people in 13 states got sick. (cdc.gov) The outbreak strain is Salmonella Saintpaul, and the CDC said illnesses began between February 26 and March 31, 2026. Of 27 people with available hospitalization data, 13 were hospitalized and no deaths were reported. (cdc.gov) The 13 states with reported cases are Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Mississippi, New Hampshire, Ohio, Tennessee, West Virginia and Wisconsin. Michigan had six cases, while Ohio and Wisconsin had five each, according to CIDRAP’s summary of the CDC data. (abcnews.com) (cidrap.umn.edu) Backyard poultry includes chickens, ducks, geese, guinea fowl and turkeys. The CDC said birds can carry Salmonella even when they look healthy and clean, and people can get infected after touching birds or contaminated coop surfaces and then touching their mouth or food. (cdc.gov) (abcnews.com) Children are heavily represented in the case count. The CDC said the median patient age is 12, and 41% of the 34 patients were younger than 5. (cdc.gov) Interviews point investigators toward recent bird purchases. Of 29 people interviewed, 23 reported contact with backyard poultry, and 13 of 14 poultry owners said they had bought or obtained birds since January 1, 2026. (cdc.gov) The CDC said investigators are tracing where sick people got their birds and which hatcheries supplied the retail stores involved. The agency also told stores to source poultry from hatcheries that reduce Salmonella contamination and to keep birds out of customers’ reach. (cdc.gov 1) (cdc.gov 2) Some of the bacteria samples showed signs of antibiotic resistance. The Associated Press, citing federal health officials, reported the outbreak strain may resist at least one drug used to treat Salmonella infections, and some samples may resist four other common antibiotics. (apnews.com) The CDC said the published case count is probably an undercount because many people recover without testing, and it usually takes three to four weeks to link a new illness to an outbreak. For flock owners, the agency’s advice is basic: wash hands for 20 seconds after touching birds, eggs or supplies, keep coop shoes outside, and keep children younger than 5 away from the birds. (cdc.gov 1) (cdc.gov 2)