Salmonella Outbreak Linked to Poultry Continues to Spread Nationwide as 13 Cases Hit Washington

Chickens from a poultry farm are going outside again in Winkel, Netherlands, on April 29, 2020. Olaf Kraak/ANP/AFP via Getty Images

The Washington State Department of Health is warning people to protect themselves against the growing salmonella outbreak linked to poultry after thirteen cases of the illness have been reported across Washington.

The nationwide outbreak has sickened over 100 people in 31 states.

The CDC estimates that salmonella bacteria cause approximately 1.35 million human infections and 26,500 hospitalizations annually in the United States.

Over 23% of infections are attributed to backyard poultry consumption, such as chickens and ducks, which can carry  salmonella even if they look healthy and clean.

“If you have a backyard flock, take steps to protect yourself and your family from salmonella infection,” Washington State Chief Science Officer Tao Sheng Kwan-Gett said in a statement. “Always wash your hands with soap and water after you’ve touched poultry, soil, or objects they’ve had contact with.”

Workers process chickens at a poultry plant in Fremont, Neb., on Dec. 12, 2019. Nati Harnik/AP Photo

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) released a proposed determination to limit the amount of salmonella bacteria in some chicken products last month.

About 1.35 million people in the United States get sick from salmonella every year, according to the CDC.

“USDA is taking science-based, decisive action to drive down salmonella illnesses linked to poultry products,” Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said in a statement. “Today’s proposal represents the first step in a broader effort to control salmonella contamination in all poultry products, as well as a continued commitment to protecting American consumers from foodborne illness.”

Salmonella is a bacteria that lives in the intestines of people and animals. Individuals can contract salmonella in a number of ways, such as by consuming contaminated food, drinking contaminated water, or touching animals that are infected, although salmonella is killed when it is cooked.

Last month a salmonella outbreak linked to Papa Murphy’s cookie dough spread throughout six states after at least 18 illnesses were reported, with two hospitalizations, the CDC announced.

“The true number of sick people in this outbreak is likely much higher than the number reported, and the outbreak may not be limited to the states with known illnesses,” the CDC said in a statement. “This is because many people recover without medical care and are not tested for Salmonella.”

The CDC, FDA, and most state health departments have warned people against eating raw cookie dough or any kind of raw batter because of the dangers of foodborne pathogens.

Many pathogens are killed by properly baking goods. Despite the warming, Papa Murphy took their item off the shelves.

“At this time, Papa Murphy’s notified franchise owners nationwide and has stopped selling and destroyed all Chocolate Chip Cookie dough and S’mores Bars dough at all stores,” the FDA said in a statement.

Individuals who get infected with salmonella usually become sick one to three days after exposure. Symptoms include diarrhea that can be bloody, fever, chills, stomach cramps, and occasionally vomiting. Most people recover within four to seven days without treatment. However, some people may experience more severe illnesses that require medical treatment or hospitalization.

“This recent crisis with chickens and eggs impacting the food supply on a larger scale across the country has created a small spike in interest for laying hens,” a representative with Short Trip Farm based in Idalou said in a statement. “I think the increasing supply chain breakdowns in our food system are showing how dependent we become as a society on large-scale operations during the vast majority of our food production.

“Our farm advocates eating, buying, shopping, and growing locally and seasonally to offset these recent economic trends,” they concluded.

Illnesses may be more severe for young children, the elderly, and those with weakened immune systems. Some may require medical treatment or hospitalization, the CDC explains.

According to the CDC, salmonella bacteria cause around 1.35 million infections, 26,500 hospitalizations, and 420 deaths in the United States every year.

It is recommended that people wash their hands thoroughly after handling poultry, avoid snuggling or kissing birds, and keep them and their supplies outside to avoid salmonella contamination.