A Recurring, Yet Preventable Public Health Challenge

Poultry are well recognized as possible carriers of Salmonella species. As part of the local foods movement, back-yard poultry flocks have increased in popularity in recent years. Between 1996 and 2012, 45 outbreaks of human Salmonella infections linked to live poultry from mail-order hatcheries were documented. This review examines the history of live poultry–associated salmonellosis in humans in the United States, the current status of the issue, and what can be done to help prevent these illnesses. An integrated One Health approach involving the mail-order hatchery industry, feed stores, healthcare providers, veterinarians, and backyard flock owners is needed to help prevent live poultry–associated salmonellosis. Keywords. Salmonella; zoonoses; outbreak; backyard poultry; mail-order hatchery. Nontyphoidal Salmonella bacteria cause an estimated 1.2 million illnesses, 19 000 hospitalizations, and 370 deaths in the United States annually [1]. Although the majority of infections are foodborne, zoonotic Salmonella infec-tions are an important public health problem. Salmonella is found in the intestinal tract of many animals including reptiles, amphibians, and live poultry (eg, chicks, chick