CDC Tracks 814 Salmonella Illnesses Linked to Backyard Poultry

By Noah Mercier

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is tracking eight multistate outbreaks of Salmonella linked to contact with backyard poultry, including chickens, ducks and other domestic birds. In its July 27, 2026 update, the agency reported 814 illnesses across 44 states and one U.S. territory. Of the cases with information available, 201 people had been hospitalized and one death had been reported.

The update recorded 301 new illnesses since June 17, with illness onset dates ranging from January 20 through July 12. The figures are not limited to people who ate poultry or eggs: the investigation points to contact with live birds, their eggs and the areas where they live and roam. CDC says poultry can carry Salmonella even when the birds look healthy and clean.

Why the warning matters in a home kitchen

Backyard poultry can bring germs into the kitchen indirectly. A person may touch a bird, an egg, a feed container, coop footwear or contaminated bedding, then touch their mouth, food or a kitchen surface without washing their hands. The current investigation found that 459 of 585 interviewed patients, or 78%, reported contact with backyard poultry. In the Salmonella Saintpaul outbreak, patients more frequently reported contact with ducklings or ducks than patients in the other linked outbreaks.

CDC’s first kitchen rule is simple: wash hands with soap and water immediately after touching poultry, eggs or anything in the birds’ environment. Hand sanitizer is a backup when soap and water are not readily available, but it should not replace proper handwashing when a sink is accessible. Keep the flock, feed, cleaning equipment and coop shoes outside the house, and clean those supplies outdoors.

How to handle eggs from a backyard flock

Freshly collected does not mean risk-free. CDC recommends collecting eggs often because eggs left in the nest can become dirty or cracked. Discard cracked eggs: bacteria on the shell can enter through the break. If an intact egg has dirt or debris on it, remove it carefully with fine sandpaper, a brush or a cloth. Do not wash backyard eggs with cold water, because water can draw germs through the shell.

Refrigerate eggs promptly to keep them fresh and slow bacterial growth.
Keep eggs separate from ready-to-eat foods and clean hands after handling shells.
Cook eggs until both the yolk and white are firm.
Use a food thermometer to bring egg dishes to 160°F, the temperature CDC lists for killing germs.

These steps matter particularly when serving young children, older adults or anyone with a weakened immune system. CDC says children younger than five should not handle chicks, ducklings or other backyard poultry, or spend time in the areas where the birds live and roam. Children, adults 65 and older and people with weakened immune systems are also more likely to develop severe illness after Salmonella infection.

Keep birds and food activities separate

CDC advises people not to kiss or snuggle backyard poultry and not to eat or drink around them. That separation is practical as well as hygienic: snacks, cups and utensils can become routes for germs from a bird or its environment to reach the mouth. Children should always be supervised around a flock and should wash their hands afterward.

People who keep birds for eggs should also avoid bringing coop tools, boots or visibly dirty clothing into food-preparation areas. A dedicated pair of shoes for the coop can help prevent contamination from being tracked indoors. If an egg, container or piece of equipment has touched a dirty surface, clean it before it enters the kitchen and wash hands before preparing food.

When to seek medical advice

Salmonella commonly causes diarrhea, fever and stomach cramps, and symptoms often begin six hours to six days after exposure. CDC advises contacting a healthcare provider promptly for bloody diarrhea, diarrhea with a fever above 102°F, diarrhea lasting more than two days without improvement, repeated vomiting that prevents drinking, or signs of dehydration such as very little urination, dry mouth or dizziness when standing.

The investigation remains open, and CDC says the true number of illnesses may be higher because some people recover without medical care or are never tested. For backyard-flock owners, the practical message is immediate: treat healthy-looking birds and their eggs as part of the food-safety chain, keep poultry activity outside the kitchen, wash hands every time and cook eggs thoroughly.

Read the CDC investigation update and the agency’s backyard poultry and egg-handling guidance for the full recommendations.