New Salmonella Outbreak Linked to Backyard Poultry Affects Six States
NEW YORK—Health officials have reported a new salmonella outbreak associated with backyard poultry, with at least seven confirmed cases across six states. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) confirmed the outbreak, which includes two cases in Missouri and one case each in Florida, Illinois, South Dakota, Utah, and Wisconsin. The affected individuals fell ill in February and March of this year and have been identified as carrying the same strain of salmonella previously linked to hatcheries.
The investigation is ongoing, and officials are working to determine the source of the outbreak. Salmonella is a significant public health concern, responsible for approximately 1.35 million infections annually in the United States. Past outbreaks have been traced to various sources, including cucumbers, eggs, unpasteurized milk, and increasingly, backyard poultry.
The challenge with backyard poultry is that salmonella can be present even in healthy-looking birds. A related outbreak that concluded last year resulted in 470 cases across 48 states, with one fatality. This raises significant concerns about the risks associated with raising poultry at home, especially as more people have turned to backyard farming during recent trends.
Health officials are urging anyone who has been in contact with backyard poultry to practice good hygiene, including washing hands thoroughly after handling birds or their equipment. As the investigation continues, the CDC emphasizes the importance of awareness and preventive measures to mitigate the risk of salmonella infections.
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