Salmonella outbreaks turn deadly as cases spread to 31 states, send dozens to the hospital, and sicken children

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has updated the public on ongoing Salmonella outbreaks linked to backyard poultry. Unfortunately, the outbreaks have continued to spread and have now infected nearly 200 individuals in 31 states, with children making up an alarming number of cases. Here’s what you need to know. What’s happened? As Fast Company previously reported, the CDC in April warned the public about a concerning Salmonella outbreak that had then spread to 13 states. The outbreak was alarming because those infected with Salmonella were found to have strains of the bacterium resistant to fosfomycin, a drug commonly used to treat the infection. Additionally, strains of the bacterium linked to the outbreak were found to be resistant to other commonly used antibiotics, too. At the time, the CDC said the outbreak—believed to be caused by contact with outdoor poultry, such as ducks and chickens—had sickened 34 people, with 13 requiring hospitalization. The agency also cautioned that the number of people infected was likely higher than the official figures suggested. This was because not everyone who becomes infected with Salmonella seeks care. The CDC has now published a new update on its investigation, which it now says includes three Salmonella outbreaks. The results show cases have spread significantly. How many people have been infected? According to a May 14 update from the CDC, cases linked to the drug-resistant Salmonella outbreaks have climbed significantly since the agency’s last update just weeks earlier. “The largest outbreak has an unusually high number of people reporting contact with ducks,” the CDC said in its update. In its previous update, the CDC said 34 people had been sickened, and 13 had required hospitalization. Now those figures have soared. As of yesterday’s update, the CDC has now confirmed that 184 individuals have been infected with Salmonella linked to the outbreaks. The number of hospitalizations has al