CDC and public health officials in several states investigated an outbreak of human Salmonella Typhimurium infections linked to contact with wild songbirds and bird feeders. A total of 30 people infected with the outbreak strain were reported from 12 states. Illnesses started on dates ranging from December 26, 2020 to April 29, 2021. Fourteen people were hospitalized. No deaths were reported.

State and local public health officials interviewed people about the animals they had contact with in the week before they got sick. Of the 21 people interviewed, 13 (62%) reported owning a bird feeder and 4 (19%) people reported contact with a sick or dead wild bird. Fifteen people had pets that had access to or contact with wild birds.

Officials in Oregon and Washington collected samples from sick or dead wild pine siskin birds. WGS analysis showed that the Salmonella from the pine siskins was closely related to bacteria from sick people.

The outbreak was declared over on May 28, 2021.