US Traces 47-State Food Poisoning Outbreak To Backyard Chickens, Ducks - Health Department

The cause of a nationwide outbreak of Salmonella food poisoning that sickened 334 Americans in 47 US states between February and August 2018 has been traced to poultry in backyards, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced in a press release on Thursday.

WASHINGTON (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 13th September, 2018) The cause of a nationwide outbreak of Salmonella food poisoning that sickened 334 Americans in 47 US states between February and August 2018 has been traced to poultry in backyards, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced in a press release on Thursday.

"Illnesses started from February 15, 2018 to August 10, 2018; 56 people were hospitalized, and no deaths were reported," the release stated. "A total of 334 people were infected with the outbreak strains of Salmonella reported from 47 states.

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Affected people reported obtaining chicks and ducklings from several sources, including feed supply stores, websites, hatcheries and from relatives, the release explained.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ended its investigation with the findings, while cautioning people that touching live poultry in their home environment can transmit Salmonella bacteria even when the birds appear healthy with no signs of illness.