Human Salmonellosis Outbreak Linked to Salmonella Typhimurium Epidemic in Wild Songbirds, United States, 2020–2021

• Published in: Emerging infectious diseases Vol. 29; no. 11; pp. 2298 - 2306
• Main Authors: Patel, Kane, Stapleton, G. Sean, Trevejo, Rosalie T, Tellier, Waimon T, Higa, Jeffrey, Adams, Jennifer K, Hernandez, Sonia M, Sanchez, Susan, Nemeth, Nicole M, Debess, Emilio E, Rogers, Krysta H, Mete, Asli, Watson, Katherine D, Foss, Leslie, Low, Mabel S.F, Gollarza, Lauren, Nichols, Megin
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Atlanta U.S. National Center for Infectious Diseases 01-11-2023; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• Subjects: Animals; bacteria; Birds; Care and treatment; Causes of; Diagnosis; Diarrhea; Disease control; Epidemics; Feces; Fever; Food; Genomes; Health risks; Health surveillance; Human Salmonellosis Outbreak Linked to; Illnesses; Medical laboratories; Mortality; Outbreaks; Public health; Salmonella; Salmonella enterica; Salmonellosis; Songbirds; Typhimurium; Typhimurium Epidemic in Wild Songbirds, United States, 2020–2021; United States; West Nile virus; Wildlife; United States; Oregon; United States > US; California
• ISSN: 1080-6040; 1080-6059
• DOI: 10.3201/eid2911.230332

Salmonella infection causes epidemic death in wild songbirds, with potential to spread to humans. In February 2021, public health officials in Oregon and Washington, USA, isolated a strain of Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium from humans and a wild songbird. Investigation by public health partners ultimately identified 30 illnesses in 12 states linked to an epidemic of Salmonella Typhimurium in songbirds. We report a multistate outbreak of human salmonellosis associated with songbirds, resulting from direct handling of sick and dead birds or indirect contact with contaminated birdfeeders. Companion animals might have contributed to the spread of Salmonella between songbirds and patients; the outbreak strain was detected in 1 ill dog, and a cat became ill after contact with a wild bird. This outbreak highlights a One Health issue where actions like regular cleaning of birdfeeders might reduce the health risk to wildlife, companion animals, and humans.