The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has reported a salmonella outbreak in more than a dozen states. Worse, the outbreak appears to be linked to a strain of the bacterium that may be resistant to antibiotics.
Here’s what you need to know about the source of the outbreak, where it’s occurring, and what you can do about it.
What’s happened?
On April 23, the CDC posted an update regarding its ongoing investigation into a multistate outbreak of salmonella infections. The outbreak is believed to be linked to backyard poultry, such as ducks and chickens.
The first reported infection linked to the outbreak is believed to have occurred on February 26, affecting one individual.
Since then, dozens of other infections have been reported. Currently, the CDC says it has confirmed 34 cases in the outbreak, which has now spread to 13 states.
The outbreak involves the Salmonella Saintpaul strain of the bacterium. Upon whole-genome sequencing of samples collected from those infected, all cases showed resistance to fosfomycin, an antibiotic commonly used to treat salmonella infections.
Samples from an additional eight people showed resistance to other antibiotics, including chloramphenicol, streptomycin, sulfisoxazole, and tetracycline.
