OLYMPIA — Six Washington residents have become ill in an outbreak of Salmonella Typhimurium, believed to be linked to wild songbirds, particularly Pine Siskins, state health officials said Monday.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is reporting 19 cases of Salmonella in eight states, the Washington state Department of Health said.
Washington state on Monday reported one case each in Clark, King, Lewis, Kitsap, Spokane and Thurston counties. Three Washington cases have required hospitalization, officials said. No further information about how people were infected was released.
Salmonella germs can spread between species of birds, to pets and to people, officials said.