Investigation Update: Salmonella Outbreak, April 2026

# CDC Reports 34 Salmonella Cases Linked to Backyard Poultry

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported on April 23, 2026, that 34 people across 13 states have been infected with a strain of Salmonella Saintpaul linked to contact with backyard poultry. Illness onset dates ranged from February 26 to March 31, 2026. Of 27 people with hospitalization data available, 13 were hospitalized. No deaths have been reported.

The CDC stated that epidemiologic, traceback, and laboratory data all point to backyard poultry contact as the source. Of 29 people interviewed, 23 (79%) reported contact with backyard poultry in the week before falling ill. Among 14 people who reported owning backyard poultry, 13 (93%) had purchased or obtained birds since January 1, 2026, from sources including agricultural retail stores.

Demographics of Cases

The median age of those infected is 12 years, with ages ranging from under 1 to 78. Forty-one percent of cases were in children under 5. The case population skewed male (58%) and was predominantly White (89%) and non-Hispanic (90%), according to the CDC's demographic breakdown.

Laboratory and Resistance Findings

Investigators in Ohio collected samples from backyard poultry, and whole genome sequencing (WGS) confirmed that the Salmonella Saintpaul found in those samples matched the strain identified in sick people. The CDC reported that WGS analysis predicted fosfomycin resistance in bacteria from all 34 cases. Eight of those samples also showed predicted resistance to one or more additional antibiotics: chloramphenicol, streptomycin, sulfisoxazole, and tetracycline.

Scope and Traceback Status

The CDC noted that the true number of infections is likely higher than 34, since many people recover without seeking medical care or being tested for Salmonella. The agency also stated that recent illnesses may not yet appear in the data, as it typically takes three to four weeks to determine whether a case belongs to an identified outbreak. Investigators said they continue collecting information on where sick people obtained their poultry and which hatcheries supplied the retail stores involved.

Ongoing Public Health Response

The CDC and state partners reported working with hatcheries and retail stores that sell poultry to spread information to new poultry owners and to control Salmonella at hatcheries. The multistate investigation remains open, with traceback and laboratory work continuing.