CDC warns of drug-resistant salmonella infections linked to backyard poultry
At least 34 people in 13 states have fallen ill from salmonella poisoning after contact with backyard poultry, including some infected. resistant to common antibiotics, federal health officials said.
Backyard poultry includes birds such as chickens, ducks, geese, guinea fowls and turkeys. Animals can carry germs that make people sick, including salmonella.
The illnesses reported between February 26 and March 31 included 13 people hospitalized, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The ages of sick people range from 1 to 78 years, but more than 40% of them are children under 5 years old. The CDC said last week.
Sick people were reported in Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Mississippi, New Hampshire, Ohio, Tennessee, Wisconsin and West Virginia. But CDC officials added that more illnesses may be possible in more states.
Approximately 80% of infected persons interviewed reported contact with backyard poultry. More than 90% of village poultry owners interviewed had acquired the animals since January. People were buying poultry from a variety of places, including agricultural retail stores. Health officials are investigating the animals’ sources.
Bacteria from samples taken from 34 people showed that they may be resistant to at least one drug used to treat salmonella infections. Some of these showed that they may also be resistant to four other common antibiotics. Infections that cannot be treated with antibiotics can cause serious illness or death.
The CDC has investigated multiple salmonella outbreaks involving backyard poultry in recent years. in 2025 an epidemic fell ill More than 500 people were killed in 48 states, 125 people were hospitalized and two people died.
Young children, older adults, and people with weakened immune systems are more likely to get sick from these germs. The best way to prevent illness is to wash hands after touching poultry, their food, or items in their environment. The CDC says people should avoid kissing or cuddling backyard birds.
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