Salmonella Outbreak Investigation Linked to Backyard Poultry

United States

Update June 17th, 2026:
The CDC has identified eight multistate Salmonella outbreaks linked to contact with backyard poultry. Since the previous update, 329 additional illnesses, 81 additional hospitalizations, and 12 additional affected states or territories have been reported.

As of June 17, 2026, a total of 513 cases have been reported across 42 states and one U.S. territory, resulting in 134 hospitalizations and one death.

Health officials continue to note that the largest outbreak involves an unusually high number of people reporting contact with ducks. Approximately 25% of illnesses have occurred in children under 5 years of age.

The investigation remains ongoing.

Source: CDC


Update May 14th, 2026:
The CDC reported 150 new illnesses since the previous update, bringing the total to 184 cases across 31 states linked to three Salmonella outbreaks associated with backyard poultry, including Salmonella Saintpaul, Enteritidis, and Mbandaka. A total of 53 people have been hospitalized, and one death has been reported in Washington.

Health officials stated that 78% of interviewed patients reported contact with backyard poultry. Investigators also noted an unusually high number of people in the Salmonella Saintpaul outbreak reported contact with ducks, particularly Pekin ducks.

Laboratory testing confirmed outbreak strains in samples collected from backyard poultry and shipping materials in Ohio. The outbreak strains have now been linked to five hatcheries, and investigations into additional suppliers are ongoing.

Source: CDC


Public health officials are investigating a multistate outbreak of Salmonella Saintpaul infections linked to backyard poultry. As of April 13, 2026, 34 individuals across 13 states (WI, MI, IN, KY, OH, IL, TN, MS, FL, WV, MD, DE, and ME) have been reported sick, with 13 hospitalizations. The illnesses occurred between February 26 and March 31, 2026.

The outbreak has been traced to contact with backyard poultry, with 79% of interviewed patients reporting such contact. Of those who owned poultry, 93% had acquired them since January 1, 2026, from various sources, including agricultural retail stores. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and state health officials are gathering data to pinpoint the outbreak's source.

The problem was discovered through the PulseNet system, which identified the outbreak strain via whole genome sequencing. This analysis showed that the bacteria from sick individuals were genetically similar, indicating a common source. Samples collected from backyard poultry in Ohio matched the outbreak strain, confirming the link to the poultry.

Source: www.cdc.gov/salmonella/outbreaks/saintpaul-04-26/investigation.html
Source 2: www.cdc.gov/salmonella/outbreaks/saintpaul-04-26/index.html