Washington Salmonella Outbreak: Don’t Kiss Chickens, 2026

Key Points

• 54 people hospitalised across Washington state due to a salmonella outbreak linked to backyard chickens and ducks this spring
• One death reported in Washington from salmonella infection tied to backyard poultry
• Salmonella outbreaks are more common in spring as more people begin caring for ducks and chickens at home
• The bacteria come from bird faeces and can live on the outside of birds that look clean and healthy
• Health officials strongly advise against kissing, snuggling, or eating/drinking around backyard poultry
• Handwashing is critical after contact with birds, eggs, or coop-cleaning tools
• Young children under five, pregnant people, and immunocompromised individuals are most vulnerable to severe salmonella infection
• Adults are urged to supervise children closely around poultry and reconsider keeping poultry if children under five are in the household
• Nationwide, the CDC reports 184 people sickened in 31 states this year from backyard poultry-related salmonella outbreaks
• More than a quarter of national cases occurred in children younger than 5
• Most people who get sick from salmonella do not report it, as they recover without medical care
• Backyard flock popularity is increasing across the country, driving a rise in linked salmonella cases

Olympia (Evening Washington News) June 2, 2026 – In the wake of a deadly salmonella outbreak tied to backyard chickens and ducks, Washington state health officials are issuing urgent warnings to residents on how to stay safe while tending their flocks. Across Washington, 54 people have been hospitalised, and one death has been confirmed from salmonella infections linked to backyard poultry this spring, according to state health data.

Hanna Oltean, senior epidemiologist for the Washington State Department of Health, told reporters that salmonella outbreaks are particularly common this time of year as more households begin caring for ducks and chickens at home.

“It’s really common that people like to snuggle or kiss backyard poultry,”

Oltean explained.

“They’re so cute, and so that’s a real temptation for folks. But we definitely recommend not kissing or snuggling poultry and not eating or drinking around them”.

The bacteria responsible for the illness originate from bird faeces and can live on the outside of birds that otherwise appear clean and healthy, Oltean noted. This means even visibly healthy backyard chickens and ducks can transmit salmonella to humans through direct contact or contaminated surfaces.

Why are health officials telling people not to kiss or snuggle backyard chickens and ducks?

As reported by Hanna Oltean of the Washington State Department of Health, the temptation to cuddle backyard poultry is strong because the birds are small, fluffy, and often treated as pets. However, this behaviour creates a significant infection risk.

“They’re so cute, and so that’s a real temptation for folks. But we definitely recommend not kissing or snuggling poultry and not eating or drinking around them,”

Oltean stated .

Salmonella bacteria are shed in bird faeces and can contaminate feathers, skin, beaks, and legs. When people kiss, hug, or snuggle birds, they bring their face and mouth close to contaminated surfaces, greatly increasing the chance of ingesting the bacteria.

Eating or drinking around poultry poses a similar risk, as hands or surfaces can become contaminated and then transfer bacteria to food or drink.

How can Washington residents protect themselves and their families from salmonella when keeping backyard poultry?

Oltean recommended that people wash their hands thoroughly with soap and water after coming into contact with birds, eggs, or any tools used to clean coops or runs.

“Oltean recommended people wash their hands after coming in contact with birds, eggs or any tools used to clean coops or runs,”

the health official said .

Key safety measures include:

• Washing hands immediately after handling birds, eggs, or coop equipment
• Avoiding kissing, snuggling, or placing birds close to the face
• Not eating or drinking while around poultry or in coop areas
• Supervising children closely whenever they are near birds
• Cleaning and disinfecting shoes, clothing, and tools that come into contact with coop areas

Most people who get sick from salmonella do not report their illness because they recover without needing medical care, Oltean added. This means the actual number of infections is likely higher than official counts suggest .

Who is most at risk from salmonella infection linked to backyard poultry?

Young children, pregnant people, and others who are immunocompromised are the most vulnerable to severe salmonella infection, Oltean outlined.

“We recommend that adults supervise kids around poultry, and really to consider whether poultry is the right pet for your family, if you have kids under the age of five,”

Oltean advised .

Children under five are at particularly high risk because their immune systems are still developing, and they are more likely to put their hands or objects in their mouths after touching birds or coop areas. Pregnant individuals face additional risks because salmonella infections can lead to more severe complications during pregnancy.

Immunocompromised people, including those with chronic illnesses or on certain medications, are also more likely to develop serious illness requiring hospitalisation.

How widespread is the backyard poultry salmonella problem across the United States?

Oltean pointed out that as backyard flocks become more popular, salmonella cases linked to them have increased across the country.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported outbreaks linked to backyard poultry have sickened 184 people across 31 states this year, with more than a quarter of cases occurring in children younger than 5 .

This national trend mirrors what Washington state is experiencing. The surge in backyard poultry ownership, accelerated by pandemic-era interest in self-sufficiency, local food production, and urban farming, has led to a corresponding rise in human salmonella cases.

The CDC data shows that over 25% of national cases are in preschool-aged children, underscoring the particular danger to young families keeping poultry as pets.

What exactly is salmonella and how does it spread from birds to humans?

Salmonella is a type of bacteria that lives in the intestinal tracts of many animals, including chickens, ducks, and other poultry.

The bacteria are shed in faeces and can contaminate the bird’s feathers, skin, beak, legs, and surrounding environment such as coop floors, nesting boxes, and run areas.

Humans become infected when they:

• Touch contaminated birds or surfaces and then touch their mouth, nose, or eyes
• Kiss or snuggle birds, bringing contaminated feathers or skin close to mucous membranes
• Eat or drink in areas where poultry are kept, allowing bacteria to transfer to food or drink
• Fail to wash hands properly after handling birds, eggs, or coop equipment

Even birds that look clean and healthy can carry and shed salmonella, making visual inspection unreliable for determining infection risk.

Why are salmonella outbreaks more common in spring and early summer?

Hanna Oltean, senior epidemiologist for the Washington State Department of Health, said salmonella outbreaks are common this time of year as more people begin caring for ducks and chickens at home. Warmer weather encourages people to spend more time outdoors with their flocks, increases bird activity, and leads to more frequent handling of birds and coop maintenance.

Spring is also when many people hatch new chicks or bring home young birds, increasing contact between humans and vulnerable, young poultry that may shed more bacteria.

Families with children are more likely to engage with backyard flocks during school holidays and warmer months, further raising exposure risk.

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Background: How did this backyard poultry salmonella development emerge in Washington state?

This public health warning emerged following a sharp increase in confirmed salmonella cases linked to backyard chickens and ducks across Washington state during spring 2026. State epidemiologists at the Washington State Department of Health began noticing a cluster of salmonella infections in patients who reported keeping backyard poultry.

As investigations progressed, laboratory testing confirmed that the bacterial strains matched those commonly found in backyard chickens and ducks.

The outbreak gained significant attention after one patient died from complications related to salmonella infection, prompting health officials to issue urgent safety guidance.

The Washington State Department of Agriculture and the Department of Health collaborated to release unified recommendations for poultry owners.

The timing coincided with a broader national trend. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention had already identified 184 salmonella cases across 31 states linked to backyard poultry by early June 2026. Washington’s 54 hospitalisations represent a significant portion of the national total, making it one of the hardest-hit states in the outbreak.

Rising backyard flock ownership over the past five years, particularly in suburban and rural areas of Washington, has contributed to increased human exposure.

Many new poultry owners treat chickens and ducks as companion animals rather than livestock, leading to behaviours such as kissing, snuggling, and allowing birds inside homes—practices that significantly elevate infection risk.

Prediction: How will this development affect Washington families who keep or consider keeping backyard poultry?

This outbreak and the resulting public health warnings will likely have three major effects on Washington families who keep or are considering keeping backyard poultry.

First, families with young children under five will reconsider keeping poultry. As Oltean advised,

“We recommend that adults supervise kids around poultry, and really to consider whether poultry is the right pet for your family, if you have kids under the age of five”

. Parents who previously viewed backyard chickens as safe, educational pets for their children may now delay or abandon plans to start a flock. Some families may choose alternative pets that pose lower infection risks.

Second, existing poultry owners will change their handling practices. The strong recommendation against kissing, snuggling, and eating around poultry will reduce close physical contact between humans and birds.

Families will likely implement stricter handwashing routines, designate separate clothing and footwear for coop duties, and create clearer boundaries between children and poultry. This behavioural shift could reduce future infection rates among current flock owners.

Third, the outbreak may slow the growth of backyard poultry ownership in Washington. With 54 hospitalisations and one death receiving public attention, prospective poultry owners may perceive backyard flocks as higher-risk than previously understood.

Urban and suburban residents considering chickens for egg production or as pets may opt against it, particularly in households with vulnerable individuals. This could moderate the rapid increase in backyard flock popularity that has characterised the past several years.