1 dead, 27 hospitalized in U.S. salmonella outbreak tied to poultry

1 dead, 27 hospitalized in U.S. salmonella outbreak tied to poultry

One person has died and 27 people have been hospitalized in a multi-state salmonella outbreak linked to backyard poultry, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says.

Even if they appear healthy and clean, backyard poultry such as chickens can carry salmonella. The bacteria is easily spread in areas where poultry live and roam, the CDC explained in an advisory. There have been 219 cases of salmonella reported in 38 states. One in four of the cases involve children younger than 5, according to the agency.

The actual number of sick people is likely much higher than the reported number because many people recover without and are not tested for the bacterial infection, the agency noted.

The one reported death occurred in Tennessee.

The CDC said that salmonella outbreaks occur annually in the United States and coincide with a surge in baby poultry purchases in the spring. Last year, salmonella illness linked with was reported in 1,135 people nationwide.

Most people infected with salmonella develop diarrhea, fever, and 6 hours to 6 days after being exposed to the bacteria. The illness usually lasts 4 to 7 days, and most people recover without treatment, the CDC said.

But some people may become so ill that they need to be hospitalized. Children younger than 5, adults 65 and older, and people with weakened immune systems are more likely to suffer .

The CDC provided the following safety tips for people caring for backyard poultry:

  • Always wash your hands for 20 seconds after touching birds, their supplies or collecting eggs
  • Use a pair of dedicated shoes or boots for your coop and don't wear them inside your house
  • Keep birds and supplies outside the house
  • Don't let children younger than 5 touch the birds (including chicks and ducklings) or anything in the area where the birds live and roam. Their immune systems are still developing and they are more likely to put items in their mouths or not wash their hands thoroughly.

More information: For more on salmonella, see the U.S. National Library of Medicine.

Copyright © 2022 HealthDay. All rights reserved.

Citation: 1 dead, 27 hospitalized in U.S. salmonella outbreak tied to poultry (2022, June 14) retrieved 26 June 2024 from https://medicalxpress.com/news/2022-06-dead-hospitalized-salmonella-outbreak-tied.html
This document is subject to copyright. Apart from any fair dealing for the purpose of private study or research, no part may be reproduced without the written permission. The content is provided for information purposes only.

Explore further

Backyard poultry tied to salmonella outbreak in dozens of states: CDC

2 shares

Feedback to editors