CDC links backyard poultry contact to more than 200 cases of salmonella

13 cases were discovered in Wisconsin, 15 in Minnesota and 10 in Iowa

FORT COLLINS, Col. (WKBT) – A CDC investigation shows a multi-state outbreak of salmonella linked to backyard poultry contact.

In total, 219 illnesses have been reported from 38 states. 27 people have been hospitalized and one person died in Tennessee. The CDC predicts that the true number is likely a lot higher, as many people recover and do not test for Salmonella.

• Backyard poultry can carry Salmonella germs even if they look healthy and clean, the CDC says. If you do have poultry, the CDC recommends:
• 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 to prevent spreading germs into your house.
• Don’t let children younger than 5 years touch the birds (including chicks and ducklings) or anything in the area where the birds live and roam. This helps protect young children from getting sick, as their immune systems are still developing,  are more likely to put items in their mouths or not wash hands fully.

Most people infected with Salmonella develop diarrhea, fever and stomach cramps between 6 hours and 6 days following exposure. Illness usually lasts a week, most recover without treatment. Children and seniors as well as those with weakened immune systems are more likely to develop severe illness.

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