The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has reported on 306 additional confirmed cases of salmonellosis in a May 19^th update.  Cases have been reported from 45 states with illnesses ranging from January 1^st 2023, to May 25^th.  It is generally recognized that the number of actual cases exceeds those diagnosed by a factor of ten since may of those infected are not treated or alternatively medical facilities treat symptomatically without submitting samples for microbiological assay.  The CDC reported that those affected ranged in age from one month to 92 years with 30 percent affecting children under five years of age.  Of 232 patients questioned, 81 percent reported direct contact with backyard poultry and 25 percent of 157 patients reported eating eggs from their flocks.  The predominant serotypes were Salmonella Braenderup, S. Enteriditis; S. Kentucky and S. Infantis.  Chickens implicated in outbreaks were obtained from four hatcheries.  Of 424 samples, including 408 from patients and 16 from the environment of flocks, eight percent were resistant to one or more antibacterials used in human medicine including ciprofloxacin, gentamicin, ampicillin and tetracycline.

Whether maintained as pets or to provide eggs, backyard flocks represent a risk of salmonellosis for homeowners and their children irrespective of attempts to follow personal hygiene precautions.