CDC Warns of Salmonella Outbreaks Linked to Backyard Poultry in 29 States: What You Need to Know Before Getting Chicks

Arizona, Missouri, Oklahoma, Texas United States of America
109 people infected, 33 hospitalized, no reported deaths
Avoid snuggling or kissing backyard poultry and keep children under five away from them
Backyard poultry can carry salmonella germs which spread easily to living areas
CDC advises stores selling backyard poultry to clean and sanitize display areas and source from hatcheries reducing contamination
CDC investigating salmonella outbreaks linked to backyard poultry in 29 states
Children under five at higher risk of severe illnesses
Eggs should be refrigerated, cooked thoroughly before consumption, and not washed
Multiple strains of salmonella identified: Altona, Indiana, Infantis, Mbandaka, Typhimurium
Symptoms of salmonella infection: diarrhea, fever, stomach cramps which last for six hours to six days
Wash hands after contact with backyard poultry or their eggs
CDC Warns of Salmonella Outbreaks Linked to Backyard Poultry in 29 States: What You Need to Know Before Getting Chicks

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is currently investigating multiple salmonella outbreaks linked to contact with backyard poultry in 29 states, including Utah. As of May 24, 109 people have been infected with the bacteria, resulting in hospitalization for 33 individuals and no reported deaths. The CDC advises that children under five years old are at a higher risk of experiencing more severe illnesses requiring medical attention.

The outbreaks have been linked to various strains of salmonella, including Altona, Indiana, Infantis, Mbandaka, and Typhimurium. The source of the contamination has not yet been identified. Backyard poultry can carry salmonella germs which can easily spread to anything in their living areas.

The CDC advises that people should wash their hands with soap and water immediately after touching backyard poultry, their eggs, or anything in the area where they live and roam. It is also recommended to avoid snuggling or kissing backyard poultry and not eat or drink around them. Children under five years old should be kept away from chicks, ducklings, and other backyard poultry.

Eggs should be refrigerated and cooked thoroughly before consumption. Cracked eggs should not be used as germs can enter the egg more easily through a cracked shell. Eggs can also be cleaned with a brush, cloth or fine sandpaper but should not be washed as colder water can pull germs into the egg.

Symptoms of salmonella infection include diarrhea, fever, and stomach cramps which usually last for six hours to six days. However, children under five years old, adults over 65 and people with weakened immune systems may experience more severe illnesses that require medical treatment or hospitalization.

The CDC advises stores selling backyard poultry to clean and sanitize poultry display areas and source them from hatcheries that take steps to reduce salmonella contamination.

Recently, Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs signed a law allowing backyard chickens at single-family homes in the state. The CDC's warning comes just days after this legislation was passed.



Confidence

91%

Doubts
  • CDC's advice on reducing salmonella contamination in backyard poultry may not be comprehensive
  • Exact number of reported cases and hospitalizations may change as investigation continues

Sources

99%

  • Unique Points
    • CDC is investigating multi-state salmonella outbreak linked to contact with backyard poultry.
    • 109 people from 29 states, including one from Utah, have gotten sick from salmonella after contact with backyard poultry.
    • No deaths have been reported but 33 people have been hospitalized.
    • 43% of those infected are under 5 years old and may experience more severe illnesses requiring medical treatment or hospitalization.
  • Accuracy
    No Contradictions at Time Of Publication
  • Deception (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Fallacies (95%)
    The article reports on a CDC warning about a salmonella outbreak linked to backyard poultry. The author does not commit any logical fallacies in the text. However, there is an appeal to authority with the CDC being cited as the source of information.
    • The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said on Thursday that public health officials are investigating multi-state outbreaks of salmonella linked to contact with backyard poultry.
  • Bias (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Author Conflicts Of Interest (0%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication

97%

  • Unique Points
    • Over 100 people have been sickened by salmonella outbreaks tied to backyard poultry.
    • As of May 16, 109 people from 29 states were infected with one or more of the outbreak strains: Salmonella Altona, Indiana, Infantis, Mbandaka, and Typhimurium.
    • About 40% (33 people) of those with available information have been hospitalized. No deaths have been reported.
    • Backyard poultry can carry salmonella germs which can easily spread to anything in the areas where they live and roam.
    • 67% of those with available information reported buying or receiving poultry before getting sick. The poultry was purchased from multiple retail stores and directly from a hatchery.
    • Healthy individuals who become infected with salmonella can have symptoms such as diarrhea, fever, and stomach cramps which usually last for six hours to six days. Children under 5 years old, adults over 65 and people with weakened immune systems may experience more severe illnesses requiring medical treatment or hospitalization.
  • Accuracy
    No Contradictions at Time Of Publication
  • Deception (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Fallacies (90%)
    The article contains a few informal fallacies and an example of a dichotomous depiction. The author presents an extreme scenario ('the true number of sick people is likely much higher than the number reported') without providing evidence to support this claim. Additionally, there is an appeal to authority when citing the CDC's guidelines on salmonella symptoms and risk factors. Lastly, a dichotomous depiction is present in the statement 'backyard poultry is making people sick', implying that there are only two possibilities: either backyard poultry is causing illness or it isn't. This oversimplifies the issue and ignores other potential sources of salmonella infection.
    • The true number of sick people "is likely much higher than the number reported."
    • Backyard poultry is making people sick.
    • Healthy individuals who become infected with salmonella can have symptoms such as diarrhea, fever and stomach cramps, and these symptoms usually last from six hours to six days after consuming the bacteria.
  • Bias (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication

96%

  • Unique Points
    • Gov. Katie Hobbs recently signed a law allowing backyard chickens at single-family homes in Arizona.
  • Accuracy
    No Contradictions at Time Of Publication
  • Deception (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Fallacies (95%)
    The article contains an appeal to authority fallacy when it states 'The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is warning people of salmonella outbreaks related to backyard poultry flocks that have resulted in 109 people in 29 states, including Arizona, getting sick.' This statement is true but the author does not provide any reasoning or evidence as to why the CDC's warning should be trusted. However, since this is the only fallacy found and it does not significantly impact the overall meaning of the article, I am scoring it a 95.
    • The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is warning people of salmonella outbreaks related to backyard poultry flocks that have resulted in 109 people in 29 states, including Arizona, getting sick.
  • Bias (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication

97%

  • Unique Points
    • Keep children under 5 away from chicks, ducklings and other backyard poultry.
    • Eggs should be refrigerated and cooked thoroughly before consumption.
  • Accuracy
    • At least 109 people have fallen ill with salmonella across 29 states since late February.
    • CDC is investigating multistate outbreaks of salmonella linked to backyard poultry.
    • Contact with backyard poultry, such as chickens and ducks, is the cause of the illnesses.
    • Missouri, Texas and Oklahoma have reported the most cases.
  • Deception (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Fallacies (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Bias (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication