CDC Warns Maine of a Backyard Poultry Outbreak

Our Pine Tree State was linked to an outbreak related to backyard poultry last year, as reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

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It's very common for people to have chickens or turkeys in their backyards or on their property, whether for eggs, meat, or just as part of rural life. But with that, sickness can spread quickly among poultry, as we've seen with the numbers being reported from 2024.

The CDC investigated a Salmonella outbreak linked to backyard poultry, with 470 reported cases across 48 states, including 125 hospitalizations and one death.

According to the CDC, the investigation began on April 16th, 2024, and has since been closed, with no recall issued. Backyard chickens and ducks can carry Salmonella germs even if they appear clean and healthy, spreading bacteria to their surroundings.

To stay safe around backyard poultry, always wash your hands with soap and water after touching the birds, their eggs, or anything in their area.

Avoid kissing or snuggling them, and keep their supplies, like feed containers and coop shoes, outside the house. Supervise children around poultry, and don’t let kids under five handle chicks or ducklings since they’re more likely to get sick. Collect eggs often, throw away cracked ones, store them in the fridge, and cook them thoroughly to kill any germs.

So, there you have it—after an investigation in 2024, Maine was officially linked to a Salmonella outbreak that resulted in hundreds of cases.

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