Maine is seeing a surge in salmonella infections amid a multistate outbreak tied to backyard poultry.

There have been 30 salmonella cases in Maine between April and July, including six hospitalizations, said Lindsay Hammes, spokesperson for the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention.

Stephen Combes, epidemiologist with the Maine CDC, told Maine Public on Tuesday that the number of cases is “unusually high” for Maine. He said the state is included in a salmonella outbreak, caused by infection from backyard poultry like chickens and ducks, each year.

“It starts when people are ordering the baby chicks, usually around springtime,” Combes told Maine Public.

Nationwide, there are currently 814 salmonella cases among eight multistate outbreaks, but U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention officials say the true number of sick people is likely much higher because many people are not tested for salmonella and recover without medical care.

People can get sick from touching backyard poultry and then touching their mouths. The U.S. CDC said animals can carry salmonella germs even if they look clean and healthy. People can prevent infection by washing their hands with soap and water immediately after touching backyard poultry, their eggs or anything in their environment.

“Maine farmers and backyard poultry enthusiasts should avoid handling poultry and anything in their environment and then touching their face and mouths,” Hammes said.