According to the US Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) media release, the results of a recent investigation showed that multi-state outbreaks of Salmonella were related to backyard poultry.

In total, 219 illnesses have been reported from 38 states, and 27 people have been hospitalised. One in four sick people are children younger than 5 years of age. One death has been reported from Tennessee.

The true number of sick people is likely much higher than the reported number, as many people recover without medical care and are not tested for Salmonella.

Backyard poultry can carry Salmonella germs even if they look healthy and clean. These germs can easily spread in areas where the poultry live and roam.

These outbreaks occur annually and coincide with the increase in baby poultry purchases, beginning in the spring. Last year in 2021, a total of 1,135 people got sick from contact with backyard poultry.

The CDC noted that Salmonella outbreaks are not related to recent cases of H5N1 bird flu viruses detected in US wild birds and poultry. However, backyard poultry owners should be aware that the steps needed to stay healthy around their flocks are similar for both diseases.