May 5, 2026, 12:10 p.m. CT
A salmonella outbreak that has sickened dozens of people across multiple states, including Wisconsin, has been linked to backyard poultry, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The salmonella cases have been reported in 13 states, with 34 people sickened by the bacteria, including 13 who were hospitalized, USA TODAY reported. No deaths have been reported. The illnesses started between late February and late March.
Five cases have been reported in Wisconsin, according to the CDC.
Public health officials have linked backyard poultry to the outbreak. Of the 29 people interviewed, 23 reported contact with backyard poultry. And of 14 people who reported owning backyard poultry, 13 had obtained the animals after Jan. 1, the CDC says.
“The true number of sick people in an outbreak is likely much higher than the number reported, and the outbreak may not be limited to the states with known illnesses,” according to the CDC. “This is because many people recover without medical care and are not tested for salmonella.”
It usually takes three to four weeks to determine if a sick person is part of an outbreak, so recent illnesses may not have been reported yet.
How to stay safe around backyard poultry
CDC investigators in Ohio confirmed that backyard poultry had the same strain of salmonella as humans with confirmed cases.
Even chickens or ducks that appear healthy can carry salmonella, and touching the birds or their environment, then touching your mouth or food is a common way to transmit salmonella.
Here’s what the CDC recommends to keep yourself safe from salmonella around backyard poultry.
- Wash your hands with soap and water after touching birds
- Do not eat or drink around birds
- Do not kiss or snuggle backyard poultry
- Keep flock supplies outside and away from homes
- Supervise children around flocks and make sure they wash properly
- Children 5 years old and younger should not handle backyard poultry or their chicks as they are more likely to contract salmonella
- Handle eggs safely by collecting often, throwing away cracked eggs
What are the symptoms of salmonella?
Regardless of transmission, people infected with salmonella can experience diarrhea, fever and stomach cramps. Symptoms can begin within six hours or six days after swallowing the germs.
Children under 5 years old, adults over 65 and those with weakened immune systems may experience more severe symptoms like extreme diarrhea, vomiting while not keeping liquids down and dehydration.
