ATLANTA – The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced an update in its continued investigation regarding the outbreak of Salmonella strains in backyard poultry including chicks and ducks. The previous update was on June 13. The agency said that an additional 489 people in eight states have included in the outbreak.

In total, 768 people in 48 states have been infected with Salmonella and 122 people have been sent to the hospital.  One death was reported in Ohio, and one in Texas. 156 of those infected are children younger than 5 years old.

Salmonella serotypes Agona, Anatum, Braenderup, Infantis, Montevideo and Newport have been linked to contact with backyard poultry in this ongoing outbreak.

“Epidemiologic and laboratory evidence indicate that contact with backyard poultry, such as chicks and ducklings, from multiple hatcheries are the likely source of these outbreaks,” The CDC said in its report.

In investigation interviews, 237 of 315 infected people reported that they had contact with chicks or ducklings. One of the outbreak strains has been identified in samples collected from backyard poultry in California and Ohio, according to CDC. Retail stores in Michigan and Oregon were also tested.

Illnesses started on dates from Jan. 1, 2019, to July 6, 2019.

Backyard poultry can carry Salmonella bacteria even though they appear healthy and clean. CDC warns the public that people can get sick with Salmonella from touching backyard poultry or their environment.