Salmonella Outbreak Update: Over 300 Illnesses Linked To Backyard Poultry Reported Since May

A multi-state Salmonella outbreak has sickened over 300 more people in the United States since May, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said.

The agency in May warned people about a Salmonella outbreak that was linked to backyard poultry. At the time, 163 people from multiple states had reportedly fallen ill.

In an update Thursday, the CDC announced that 311 more people have fallen ill due to the outbreak since May. Three more states have been added to the affected list. This brings the total of illnesses to 474 and the number of affected states to 46.

The number of people who had to be hospitalized also increased from 34 to 103, and one person from Indiana reportedly died.

"The true number of sick people is likely much higher than the reported number, as many people recover without medical care and are not tested for Salmonella," the CDC noted.

Salmonella in young children

Although most people can recover from Salmonella without needing treatment, children below five years old, people above 65 and those with weakened immune systems are more at risk of developing a severe illness from the bacteria, which may require hospitalization.

Among the 50,000 cases of salmonellosis getting reported in the U.S. each year, about a third are found in children of four years old or younger, the Nemours Foundation noted.

In the current outbreak, 139 cases or 30% of those who fell ill were young children under five years old. The CDC has urged people not to let young children touch backyard poultry or anything in the area where they roam or live. It's important to supervise children when they are around backyard poultry and to make sure that they wash their hands properly afterward, the agency said.

"Whether you are building your first coop or are a seasoned backyard poultry owner, know the risks of keeping poultry and the steps you can take to stay healthy," the CDC said.

Those who develop severe symptoms should call a healthcare provider "right away." Severe symptoms include diarrhea for more than three days that is not improving, diarrhea with a fever higher than 105 degrees Fahrenheit, bloody diarrhea, vomiting and having signs of dehydration.