Two dead and 768 people sickened across 48 states from salmonella outbreak

Two dead and 768 people sickened across 48 states from salmonella outbreak linked to backyard poultry, CDC report reveals

  • So far, 768 people have been sickened and 122 people have been hospitalized
  • Two people – one from Ohio and another from Texas – have died 
  • The CDC says it believes the source of the outbreak is likely ‘backyard poultry from multiple hatcheries’
  • In interviews, 237 people said they’d recently come into contact with chickens and ducklings 

A multi-state outbreak of salmonella has sickened 768 people and left two dead, a new report has revealed.   

The majority of infections have been linked to backyard poultry, specifically chickens and ducklings, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). 

In interviews with 315 sick people, 75 percent said they’d recently been in contact with live poultry before falling ill, researchers found. 

So far, 122 people have been hospitalized across 48 states. The two deaths occurred in Ohio and Texas. 

A salmonella outbreak linked to backyard chickens and ducklings across 48 states has sickened 768 people and left two dead (file image)

Salmonella infections occur after eating raw meat and eggs or foods that are contaminated with the bacteria.

Symptoms can include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and abdominal pain that generally last between four and seven days.

According to the CDC, salmonella is the cause for 1.2 million illnesses, 23,000 hospitalizations, and 450 deaths in the US annually.

Most people can recover without treatment, although there are cases where antibiotics or IV fluids are needed. 

The CDC says 768 people have reported illnesses across 48 states, with Alaska and Delaware being the only states where no cases have been reported.  

Illnesses range from January 1, 2019, to July 6, 2019 with ages between less than one year old to 99 years old. 

In interviews with 315 people who fell ill, 237 – or 75 percent – said they’d been in contact with chicks or ducks. 

Because of this, the CDC believes the source of the outbreak is likely ‘backyard poultry from multiple hatcheries’.

Although people may keep their coops clean, health officials say it is possible to get sick after coming into contact with harmful bacteria, including salmonella, on the feathers, feet, and beaks of live poultry. 

About one-quarter of the illnesses reported are among children five years old or younger.   

The CDC has not issued a recall of any chicken products, but it is urging consumers to take safety precautions to avoid infections. This includes washing hands, cutting boards, counters and utensils with hot water and soap after handling raw meat.

The CDC says more than 75 outbreaks of salmonella have been associated with backyard poultry since 2000.

Just two months ago, the health agency implored Americans to not ‘kiss and snuggle’ chickens due to a salmonella outbreak. 

Read more at DailyMail.co.uk