11 Infected in NH Salmonella Outbreak

State health officials said at least 11 Granite Staters were infected with salmonella in recent months and said it’s all tied to a national outbreak.

The 11 made full recoveries, officials said. The youngest is an infant; the oldest is 69 years old. Two were hospitalized. They became ill between March 29 and July 4.

Officials said most of them were exposed to chickens from Ohio-based Mt. Healthy Hatcheries that they purchased at local farm supply stores. Officials did not say where the stores are or which communities the victims are from.

Federal officials said about 300 people across the country have been infected with salmonella that they said originated from Mt. Healthy Hatcheries.

“This cluster of cases linked to a problem at a particular hatchery is concerning,” said José Montero, director of public health at the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services. “Unfortunately salmonella is always a risk with poultry. That is why we want to emphasize that people follow appropriate and consistent hygiene recommendations every time they come in contact with live poultry, whether or not it is chicks or adults, chickens or other types of poultry.”

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