The Center for Disease Control reports 212 people have been infected with strains of salmonella linked to live poultry in 44 states across the country.
The CDC says the outbreak number is from a recent update as of July 13. A warning was issued earlier in the year on outbreaks of salmonella being linked to contact with live poultry in backyard flocks throughout the U.S.
Research and laboratory findings have linked the outbreaks to contact with live poultry, such as chicks and ducklings from multiple hatcheries. The illnesses reportedly started on February 15, 2018. The CDC reports 34 people have been hospitalized and no deaths have been reported.
26 percent of the people affected have been children under 5 years old. According to a number of interviews conducted, 138 people reported contact with chicks of ducklings the week before their illness started.
(Photo Courtesy: CDC)
People reported getting chicks and ducklings from a number of sources, including feed supply stores, websites, hatcheries, and from family.
The CDC said there are multiple types of bacteria linked to each case including Salmonella Seftenberg, Salmonella Montevideo, Salmonella Infantis, Salmonella Enteritidis, Salmonella Indiana, and Salmonella Litchfield.
Those infected could experience fever, diarrhea, and abdominal cramps between 12 and 72 hours, according to the CDC. The illness usually lasts 4 to 7 days, where most people recover without treatment.
In some cases, patients will need to be hospitalized, as the infection could spread from the intestines to the blood stream and other parts of the body. The CDC said infants and elderly people are at a higher risk of experiencing severe illness.
This investigation is ongoing, the CDC said it will provide updates when more information is available.
