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CDC reports multistate Salmonella outbreaks linked to live, frozen poultry
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Outbreaks of multiple Salmonella strains affecting at least 190 people have been linked to contact with live and frozen poultry, according to the CDC.
Cases of infection with Salmonella enteritidis, S. hadar, S. indiana and S. muenchen dating back to January were attributed to the handling of live poultry. As of June 29, these four outbreak strains have been reported among 181 people in 40 states, according to the CDC, with illnesses beginning as early as Jan. 6. Although no deaths have been reported, 33 people are reported to have been hospitalized with the infections.
When interviewed for potential infection risk factors, 86% of the 95 cases interviewed reported contact with live poultry such as chickens or ducks before becoming ill. Purchase records were available for 64 of those interviewed, revealing that live baby poultry were obtained through 17 feed supply stores and hatcheries in multiple states.
“Ill people reported purchasing live poultry for backyard flocks to produce eggs or meat, or to keep as pets,” CDC officials wrote in an announcement. “Many ill people in these outbreaks reported bringing the live poultry into their homes, and others reported kissing or cuddling with the live poultry. These behaviors increase a person’s risk of a Salmonella infection.”
Public health investigators in the CDC’s PulseNet, a national subtyping network of public health and food regulatory agency laboratories, identified the isolates related to the outbreaks. Antibiotic resistance testing conducted on these isolates by the National Antimicrobial Resistance Monitoring System demonstrated no evidence of resistance, although further testing remains under way.
The investigators also identified two outbreaks of S. enteritidis related to raw, frozen, breaded and pre-browned stuffed chicken food products. As of July 14, nine cases related to these outbreaks have been reported in Minnesota and Wisconsin since April 5, four of which required hospitalization.
These outbreaks have resulted in recalls by Barber Foods and Omaha Steaks, according to the CDC, and the agency is advising U.S. and Canadian consumers to examine any recently purchased chicken products.
“CDC and state and local public health partners are continuing laboratory surveillance through PulseNet to identify additional ill people and to interview them,” CDC officials wrote in an announcement. “Updates will be provided when more information is available.”