Backyard Birds Spark Salmonella Outbreak Across 13 States

A surge of salmonella cases has been traced back to people keeping chickens, ducks, and other small fowl at home. The illness has touched 34 individuals in 13 different states, and some infections show resistance to common antibiotics. The problem started between late February and the end of March, when several families began noticing symptoms such as fever, stomach cramps, and vomiting. Hospital visits were required for 13 of those affected. Most patients are very young, with more than forty percent being children under five years old. The age range of those sick spans from a single year to seventy-eight, showing that anyone can be at risk. Nearly eighty percent of the people who reported being ill had handled backyard poultry in some way, and a striking ninety percent of owners acquired their birds after January. The animals came from various sources, including local farms and retail shops that sell farm stock.Laboratory tests on bacterial samples from the patients revealed that at least one drug was ineffective in treating their infections. A subset of these strains also resisted four other widely used antibiotics, raising concerns about treatment options and potential complications. The Centers for Disease Control has faced similar outbreaks in the past, with a notable event in 2025 that affected over five hundred people nationwide. Those outbreaks highlighted the danger of antibiotic-resistant bacteria when humans come into close contact with birds that carry them. Health experts advise simple hygiene measures: wash hands thoroughly after touching any bird or its surroundings, and avoid affectionate contact such as kissing or cuddling with backyard birds. These precautions can help stop the spread of germs and protect vulnerable groups like young children, the elderly, and those with weakened immune systems.