A Salmonella outbreak linked to live poultry has sickened at least 300 people in 42 states and Puerto Rico, according to the latest update from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). That’s 49 new cases and five more states since the last update on June 27. Sixty four people have been hospitalized.
The 49 new cases were reported from the following states: Alabama (2), Arizona (1), Colorado (1), Georgia (3), Idaho (2), Iowa (1), Massachusetts (1), Minnesota (1), Missouri (1), Nebraska (3), New Hampshire (1), New Jersey (1), New York (3), North Carolina (1), Ohio (3), Oregon (1), Pennsylvania (4), Puerto Rico (1), South Carolina (1), Tennessee (3), Vermont (1), Virginia (8), Washington (1), and West Virginia (4). The total case count is as follows: Alabama (8), Arizona (2), Arkansas (3), California (3), Colorado (5), Connecticut (1), Florida (1), Georgia (16), Idaho (4), Illinois (5), Iowa (3), Indiana (4), Kansas (1), Kentucky (11), Maine (9), Maryland (3), Massachusetts (1), Michigan (1), Minnesota (1), Mississippi (2), Missouri (1), Montana (3), Nebraska (3), New Hampshire (3), New Jersey (2), New Mexico (2), New York (30), North Carolina (28), Ohio (24), Oregon (1), Pennsylvania (29), Puerto Rico (1), South Carolina (6), South Dakota (3), Tennessee (17), Texas (2), Utah (1), Vermont (7), Virginia (25), Washington (8), West Virginia (18) Wisconsin (1), and Wyoming (1).
The outbreak has three strains: Salmonella Infantis, Salmonella Newport and Salmonella Hadar. Onset of illness was reported between February 3, 2014, and July 10, 2014. The case patients range in age from younger than 1 year to 95 years old. The median age is 28. Thirty-seven percent are children or younger.About 54 percent are female.
Public health investigators have linked this outbreak to contact with chicks, ducklings, and other live poultry from Mt. Healthy Hatcheries in Ohio. Mt Healthy was also linked to live poultry outbreak in 2013 and 2012.
To keep kids safe while maintaining backyard flocks, the CDC recommends: that live poultry and any items used to care for the birds remain outside; that those caring for flocks wash hands thoroughly after handling or feeding the birds; that children not cuddle or kiss the birds; that children 5 and up are supervised during contact with the birds and during hand washing; and that children under five have no contact with the animals.
