KEY FINDINGS
• During 2023, CDC with state and regulatory public health partners investigated 181 possible multistate outbreaks, of which 84 were determined to be outbreaks. Of these, outbreak investigators solved 50 outbreaks (60%). A suspected source was identified for 22 outbreaks and a confirmed source was identified for 28 outbreaks.
• The 84 multistate outbreaks investigated, both solved and unsolved, resulted in 3,153 illnesses, 942 hospitalizations, and 10 deaths.
• Of the 50 solved outbreaks, 32 were linked to contaminated food and caused 1,219 illnesses, 421 hospitalizations, and 9 deaths. The remaining 18 solved multistate outbreaks were linked to animal contact and caused 1,220 illnesses, and 290 hospitalizations.
• Fruits were identified as the source of the most solved foodborne outbreaks (5) during 2023. Vegetable row crops (4) and chicken (4) were also identified as common sources of foodborne outbreaks in 2023.
• Backyard poultry was identified as the source of both the most solved outbreaks (14) and the most outbreak-associated illnesses (1,127) of any animal contact category in 2023.
