The salmonella outbreak linked to poultry has ended

The final investigation results, published on September 25 (the text states: September 24), recorded 1,253 cases of illness, 256 hospitalizations, and two deaths across 46 states and Puerto Rico. Fatal cases were reported in Georgia and Washington. This outbreak became the second largest in CDC history following 2020, when 1,722 people fell ill. Children under 5 years of age accounted for 22% of the total number of victims. Illnesses began between January 20 and August 6, 2026.

The investigation involved seven Salmonella strains: Altona, Enteritidis, Indiana, Infantis, Kedougou, Mbandaka, and Saintpaul. Of the people interviewed, 71% reported contact with poultry prior to symptom onset. Birds can carry bacteria in their droppings, on feathers, feet, and can also contaminate cages, bedding, feeders, and soil without showing signs of illness. Most of the affected individuals acquired birds from agricultural retail stores, while others obtained them from acquaintances, directly from hatcheries, or from local farms. The agency linked the strains to eight hatcheries without naming them.

Genetic analysis of the bacteria revealed a predisposition to resistance to one or more antibiotics in many samples. Specifically, 185 samples were predicted to have reduced susceptibility to ciprofloxacin, and a smaller number of samples to ampicillin and ceftriaxone, as well as to fosfomycin and tetracycline. No resistance was detected in 419 samples.

The CDC emphasizes that the risk persists after the investigation concludes, as any backyard poultry can be a carrier of Salmonella. For prevention, specialists recommend washing hands thoroughly with soap after contact with poultry and their environment, keeping children under 5 years of age away from contact with chicks and ducklings, not kissing birds, not eating in areas where they are kept, and not keeping live poultry in homes, schools, and daycare centers.