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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Having bid farewell to Easter just a couple of weeks ago, it’s now time to welcome the annual Salmonella outbreak that is the inevitable outcome of those cute chicks and ducklings.
The victims range in age from less than one year old to 55 years old. Forty-three percent are less than five years old.
The outbreak strain is the same one that was linked to two hatcheries in past outbreaks, including one which is also linked to the poultry shipping material sample in the current outbreak.
Investigators in Ohio collected samples from the inside of boxes used to ship poultry from hatcheries to retail stores, including the box liner and bedding. WGS showed that the Salmonella Mbandaka found in these samples was the same strain as the one found in sick people.
Outbreak expected to grow
According to the CDC, the true number of cases may be much larger than the cases reported so far. Victims who do not seek medical attention (whether due to mild symptoms or to the cost of health care) do not get tested for Salmonella. Additionally, it can take 3-4 weeks for a diagnosed case to be reported to the CDC.
In the last decade, Salmonella outbreaks linked to backyard poultry have produced more than 9,300 known victims, causing 1,999 hospitalizations and 12 deaths.
Here is today’s list of food safety recalls, product withdrawals, allergy alerts and miscellaneous compliance issues. The live links will take you directly to the official recall notices and company news releases that contain detailed information for each recall and alert.
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USA (Update): CDC continues to track outbreaks of Salmonella linked to contact with backyard poultry. Since February 18, 2024, the agency has received confirmed reports of 409 illnesses, including 102 hospitalizations, in 45 states. Several different Salmonella serotypes have been confirmed in these outbreaks, including Salmonella Altona, Cerro, Enteritidis, Indiana, Infantis, Johannesburg, Mbandaka, and Typhimurium. More than 25% of the outbreak victims are less than five years old. Some of the outbreak strains have been recovered from backyard poultry or from inside the boxes used to ship poultry from hatcheries to retail stores, including the box liner and bedding.
United States
Allergy Alert: M&P Food Production Ltd recalls multiple flavors of blintzes, pirozhki, and vareniki due to undeclared wheat, milk, and/or sesame. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.
Food Safety Recall: Hickory Hollow Jerky recalls approximately 6,229 pounds of ready-to-eat jerky products that were produced without the benefit of federal inspection. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.
Food Safety Recall: Asli Fine Foods recalls Asli Cinnamon Powder (7 oz; Lot DDDLUS; UPC 703440150723) due to potential lead contamination.
Food Safety Recall: Nuts.com recalls Nuts.com Paprika (25-lb bag; Codes p138733941, p138733942, p138741757, p138785617) due to possible Salmonella contamination.
Food Safety Recall: Now Foods recalls NOW Real Foods Whole & Unsalted Raw Brazil Nuts (12-oz bags; Lot 3343549; Best before September 2025; UPC 733739070128) due to high mold, yeast, and total viable count.
Canada
No Alerts
United Kingdom and Ireland
Allergy Alert (UK): Prestat recalls multiple chocolate products due to undeclared peanuts. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.
Hong Kong and Singapore
No Alerts
Australia and New Zealand
Allergy Alert (Australia): Byford Flour Mill recalls certain Bakers’ Range Flours due to undeclared soy. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.
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“Reads like a true crime novel” – Food Safety News
Interested in learning more about food safety and the history of foodborne disease outbreaks and investigations?
Click on the link to listen to a short excerpt, then follow the buy links to add a digital, print or audio copy to your personal library.
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