The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has updated its report on Salmonella-related illnesses in the United States that have been linked to contact with backyard poultry flocks.
The CDC, in a report released on August 21, stated that there were 172 additional cases of Salmonella-related illnesses, bringing the 2017 total to 961. The last time CDC gave an update on the number of Salmonella cases was on July 13. Among those new cases was one fatality.
The agency reported that the most recent Salmonella outbreak began on July 31. According to the most recent report, the number of hospitalizations has increased from 174 to 215.
The 2017 cases have been reported in 48 states and the District of Columbia.
The CDC reported that epidemiologic, traceback and laboratory findings link the outbreaks to contact with live poultry, such as chicks and ducklings, from multiple hatcheries. While conducting interviews, health officials found that 74 percent of all people affected by Salmonella outbreaks reported contact with live poultry during the week prior to becoming ill.
2016 Salmonella cases
Contact with live backyard poultry was also the cause of numerous Salmonella cases in 2016. In a report filed in 2016, the agency stated that as of September 10, 2016, 895 people became ill from Salmonella infections. Of those, 209 were hospitalized. There were also three deaths, but in two of those cases, Salmonella infection was not considered to be the primary cause of death.
CDC advice
CDC, on its website, offers advice to people with backyard poultry that should help prevent Salmonella infections. Among its tips are:
- Always wash your hands thoroughly after handling live poultry
- Do not let live poultry inside the house
- Do not eat or drink in the area where birds live or roam
- Do not let children or senior citizens with weak immune systems to handle live poultry
- Do not snuggle or kiss birds.
