In April 2026, CDC and public health officials in several states investigated an outbreak of multiple Salmonella serotypes (Altona, Enteritidis, Indiana, Infantis, Kedougou, Mbandaka, and Saintpaul) infections associated with contact with backyard poultry. As of August 27, 2026, a total of 1,061 people infected with one of the outbreak strains had been reported from 46 states and Puerto Rico. Illnesses started on dates ranging from January 20, 2026 to August 6, 2026. Of 717 people with information available, 134 (33%) were hospitalized. Two deaths were reported - one each in Washington and Georgia. Of 738 people interviewed, 553 (75%) reported contact with backyard poultry.

Of 324 people who reported owning backyard poultry, 267 (82%) purchased or obtained poultry since January 1, 2026. People reported getting their poultry from various places. Most reported purchasing from agricultural retail stores, but some purchased birds from people they knew directly, from hatcheries or from local farms. Investigators continue to collect information about where sick people obtained poultry, including what hatcheries supplied the retail stores where people purchased poultry.

Patients included in the Salmonella Saintpaul outbreak more frequently reported contact with ducklings or ducks, specifically Pekin ducks, versus other outbreaks where most patients reported contact with chicks and chickens.

These outbreak strains have been linked to 7 hatcheries.

WGS analysis of data from 513 human, 11 animal, and 29 environmental samples predicts that some of the Salmonella strains involved in these outbreaks are resistant or not susceptible to some antibiotics commonly recommended for the treatment of severe Salmonella infections, including ampicillin, ceftriaxone, and ciprofloxacin.

WGS analysis of data from 1056 human, 12 animal, and 30 environmental samples predicts that some of the Salmonella strains involved in these outbreaks are resistant to ampicillin or ceftriaxone or are nonsusceptible to ciprofloxacin. These antibiotics are commonly recommended for the treatment of severe Salmonella infections. Related strains of Salmonella typically share similar patterns of drug resistance.