Key points
This outbreak is over. Learn what you can do to protect yourself from getting sick from Salmonella.
July 10, 2025
CDC, public health and regulatory officials in several states, and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) collected different types of data to investigate a multistate outbreak of Salmonella Enteritidis infections.
Epidemiologic, laboratory, and traceback data showed that eggs distributed by August Egg Company were contaminated with Salmonella Enteritidis and made people sick.
Epidemiologic Data
A total of 134 people infected with the outbreak strain of Salmonella were reported from 10 states. Six sick people reported traveling to California or Nevada in the week before they got sick. Illnesses started on dates ranging from February 24, 2025, to June 6, 2025. Of the 112 people with information available, 38 were hospitalized. One death was reported from California.
The true number of sick people in this outbreak was likely much higher than the number reported, and this outbreak may not have been limited to the states with known illnesses. This is because many people recover without medical care and are not tested for Salmonella.
Public health officials collected many different types of information from sick people, including their age, race, ethnicity, other demographics, and the foods they ate in the week before they got sick. This information provided clues to help investigators identify the source of the outbreak.
The table below has information about sick people in this outbreak ("n" is the number of people with information available for each demographic).
Demographics
Information
Age
(n=134)
Range from 1 to 90 years
Median age of 46
Sex
(n=134)
59% female
41% male
Race
(n=74)
85% White
1% African American/Black
11% Asian
3% reported more than one race
Ethnicity
(n=84)
71% non-Hispanic
29% Hispanic
State and local public health officials interviewed people about the foods they ate in the week before they got sick. Of the 41 people interviewed, 37 (90%) reported eating eggs. State health officials identified illness sub-clusters at multiple restaurants. An illness sub-cluster is a group of unrelated sick people who all ate at the same location or event, such as a restaurant. Eggs were served at all of the sub-cluster locations.
Laboratory and Traceback Data
Public health investigators used the PulseNet system to identify illnesses that were part of this outbreak. CDC PulseNet manages a national database of DNA fingerprints of bacteria that cause foodborne illnesses. DNA fingerprinting is performed on bacteria using a method called whole genome sequencing (WGS). WGS showed that bacteria from sick people's samples are closely related genetically. This suggests that people in this outbreak got sick from the same food.
FDA conducted an inspection at cage-free laying houses used by August Egg Company and collected samples for testing. Three samples tested positive for Salmonella. WGS showed that the Salmonella in the samples matched to Salmonella from sick people.
WGS analysis of bacteria from 134 people's samples and 16 environmental samples predicted resistance to nalidixic acid and nonsusceptibility to ciprofloxacin (NSC); this NSC strain is related to . In addition, analysis of bacteria from one person's sample also predicted resistance to ampicillin and streptomycin, and analysis of bacteria from another person's sample also predicted resistance to azithromycin. Most people with Salmonella illness recover without antibiotics. However, if antibiotics were needed, some illnesses in this outbreak may not have been treatable with some commonly recommended antibiotics and may have required a different antibiotic choice. More information is available at the National Antimicrobial Resistance Monitoring System (NARMS) site.
People reported buying many different brands of eggs from multiple stores. FDA conducted a traceback investigation based on where the ill people reported shopping or eating during the timeframe of interest. August Egg Company was identified as a common supplier of eggs.
Ill people in Kentucky, New Jersey, and Washington reported traveling to California and Nevada before they got sick.
Public Health Actions
August Egg Company recalled eggs. Recalled eggs are past shelf life and should no longer be available for sale.
Previous updates
CDC, public health and regulatory officials in several states, and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are collecting different types of data to investigate a multistate outbreak of Salmonella Enteritidis infections.
Epidemiologic, laboratory, and traceback data show that eggs distributed by August Egg Company may be contaminated with Salmonella Enteritidis and may be making people sick.
Epidemiological Data
As of June 5, 2025, a total of 79 people infected with the outbreak strain of Salmonella have been reported from 7 states. Six sick people reported traveling to California or Nevada in the week before they got sick. Illnesses started on dates ranging from February 24, 2025 to May 17, 2025. Of the 61 people with information available, 21 have been hospitalized. No deaths have been reported.
The true number of sick people in this outbreak was likely much higher than the number reported, and this outbreak may not have been limited to the states with known illnesses. This is because many people recover without medical care and are not tested for Salmonella. In addition, recent illnesses may not yet be reported as it usually takes 3 to 4 weeks to determine if a sick person is part of an outbreak.
Public health officials collect many different types of information from sick people, including their age, race, ethnicity, other demographics, and the foods they ate in the week before they got sick. This information provides clues to help investigators identify the source of the outbreak.
The table below has information about sick people in this outbreak ("n" is the number of people with information available for each demographic).
Demographics
Information
Age
(n=79)
Range from 1 to 90 years
Median age of 48
Sex
(n=79)
59% female
41% male
Race
(n=42)
94% White
2% African American/Black
2% Asian
2% reported more than one race
Ethnicity
(n=53)
74% non-Hispanic
26% Hispanic
State and local public health officials are interviewing people about the foods they ate in the week before they got sick. Of the 30 people interviewed, 27 (90%) reported eating eggs. State health officials identified illness sub-clusters at two restaurants. An illness sub-cluster is a group of unrelated sick people who all ate at the same location or event, such as a restaurant. Investigating sub-clusters can help identify a food item eaten by all the sick people that could be the source of the outbreak. Eggs were served at both sub-cluster locations.
Laboratory and Traceback Data
Public health investigators are using the PulseNet system to identify illnesses that may be part of this outbreak. CDC PulseNet manages a national database of DNA fingerprints of bacteria that cause foodborne illnesses. DNA fingerprinting is performed on bacteria using a method called whole genome sequencing (WGS). WGS showed that bacteria from sick people's samples are closely related genetically. This suggests that people in this outbreak got sick from the same food.
FDA conducted an inspection at August Egg Company's processing facility and collected samples for testing. Some samples tested positive for Salmonella. WGS showed that the Salmonella in the samples are closely related to Salmonella from sick people.
Based on WGS analysis, bacteria from 79 people's samples predicted resistance to nalidixic acid and nonsusceptibility to ciprofloxacin (NSC); this NSC strain is related to . One person's sample also predicted an additional resistance to ampicillin and streptomycin. Most people with Salmonella illness recover without antibiotics. However, if antibiotics are needed, some illnesses in this outbreak may not be treatable with some commonly recommended antibiotics and may require a different antibiotic choice. More information is available at the National Antimicrobial Resistance Monitoring System (NARMS) site.
People reported buying many different brands of eggs from multiple stores. FDA conducted a traceback investigation based on where the ill people reported shopping or eating during the timeframe of interest, and August Egg Company was identified as a common supplier of eggs.
Ill people in Kentucky, New Jersey, and Washington reported traveling to California and Nevada before they got sick.
Public Health Actions
On June 6, 2025, August Egg Company recalled eggs. CDC is advising people not eat, sell, or serve recalled eggs.