The number of confirmed Salmonella infections linked to contact with backyard poultry has increased almost 15-fold, from seven cases in 6 states as of May 5, 2025 to 104 cases in 35 states as of May 30th.
One person has died; twenty-five have been hospitalized.
The CDC has added a second outbreak strain to its investigation. The agency reports that cases linked to backyard poultry include infections with Salmonella Mbandaka and Salmonella Enteritidis.
Victims range in age from less than one year to 85 years, with a median age of 18 years. Nearly one third of the victims (32%) are less than five years old.
If history is any indicator, we could easily see another 10-fold increase in the confirmed case count. During the decade spanning 2015-2024, contact with backyard poultry accounted for more than 9300 confirmed Salmonella infections, 1,999 hospitalizations and 12 deaths.
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eFoodAlert 
Is this strictly limited to using our own farm chickens? Eggs included?
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Chickens can carry Salmonella (which is why there is such a high incidence of Salmonella in store-bought chicken meat in the US). The birds can excrete the bacteria in their droppings and also can produce eggs that are Salmonella-contaminated.
The current outbreak has been linked to CONTACT with backyard poultry (think about all those cute chicks given to kids at Easter). I have not seen any information linking this specific outbreak to eating farm-raised poultry or eggs.
To minimize the risk of becoming ill, always be careful to wash your hands after handling your farm chickens. Children are especially susceptible. If they come into contact with your chickens, please teach them not to touch their faces or put anything (including fingers) in their mouths until they have washed their hands thoroughly with soap and water.
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suuuuuure.
the local government can’t get their hands on the cash from Americans who can fend for themselves.
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