Salmonella Outbreak Linked to Songbirds Sickened 19 People In Eight States

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is investigating a Salmonella outbreak in eight states that are linked to songbirds and bird feeders.

CDC said Salmonella is a bacteria that cause sickness to people which was first discovered by American scientist Dr. Daniel E. Salmon in 1885. Consuming food or drinks contaminated with salmonella, and touching infected animals, their feces and environment can infect people.

Those who get infected with this bacteria would have salmonellosis, while some types of the bacteria could also cause typhoid fever or paratyphoid fever.

Most infected people would experience diarrhea, fever, and muscle cramps which usually begins six hours after the infection and could last up to four to seven days.

Bird Salmonella Outbreak

NBC News reported that 19 people in eight states already got sick from Salmonella bacteria wherein the range in age is two years old to 89 years old.

According to the CDC, contact with wild songbirds and bird feeders is most likely causing the outbreak that is making people sick.

Infections have been reported in California, Kentucky, Missouri, New Hampshire, Oklahoma, Oregon, Tennessee, and Washington state. CDC officials said that the first cases of the salmonella outbreak were reported on December 27, 2020. Out of the confirmed cases, eight of them were hospitalized while no deaths have been reported.

Residents in Oregon and Washington have also reported finding sick or dead pine siskins, a songbird known for its yellow-streaked feathers. According to the CDC, tests showed that this is closely related to the one found in infected people.

In February, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife said they have been overwhelmed with reports of sick or dead pine siskins that salmonellosis, the disease caused by Salmonella.

The latest Salmonella outbreak is making both humans and birds sick. Birds can contract the bacteria from contaminated food, water, or when it comes into close contact with objects, like feeders, that are contaminated with infected bird's feces.

Birds with Salmonella would often look weak, have labored breathing, and sits for a long time with ruffled or fluffed feathers.

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CDC Guidelines To Avoid the Latest Salmonella Outbreak

According to MedicineNet, the CDC recommended the following to help keep people and animals healthy around bird feeders and birdbaths:

Wash your hands immediately after touching a bird, a birdbath, and a bird feeder even when wearing gloves.
Make it a habit to clean or disinfect the bird feeder and birdbath every week or when they are visibly untidy. Do this outside your house. Use warm soapy water and soak the feeder in a nine-to-nine bleach solution for ten minutes, Lifehacker reported. Then let it dry before refilling it and wash your hands afterward.

Keep your dogs, cats, or other pets away from birdbaths and areas under them.
Do not feed and touch birds with your bare hands.
Immediately call your state wildlife agency of wildlife specialist when you feel symptoms of the infection.
Immediately remove any bird feeders and birdbaths for two weeks and clean them outdoors when you find a sick or dead bird in your yard.