CDC is Investigating Multiple Outbreaks of Salmonella Linked to Backyard Poultry

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More than 160 people across 43 states have gotten sick from contact with backyard poultry, like chickens and ducks. Backyard poultry can carry Salmonella germs even if they look healthy and clean, and these germs can easily spread to the areas where they live and roam. You can get sick from touching your backyard poultry or anything in their environment and then touching your mouth or food, and swallowing Salmonella germs.

What to do if you own backyard poultry

• Wash your hands after touching backyard poultry, their eggs, or anything in the area where they live and roam.
• Don’t kiss or snuggle birds, and don’t eat or drink around them.
• Keep birds and supplies outside. You should also clean the supplies outside the house.
• Always supervise children around backyard poultry and make sure they wash their hands properly afterward.
• Don’t let children under 5 years old touch chicks, ducklings, or other backyard poultry. Young children are more likely to get sick from germs like Salmonella.
• Collect eggs often; throw away cracked eggs; clean eggs with fine sandpaper, a brush, or a cloth; refrigerate eggs; and cook eggs all the way through.

What to do if you get sick

Call your doctor if you have been around backyard poultry and have any symptoms of Salmonella, such as diarrhea, fever, and stomach cramps.