Infectious disease risks in the U.S. are not limited to hospitals or international travel. They can emerge from food products, household animals, outdoor exposure, sexual contact, and unusual travel-related events as well. Awareness, early recognition of symptoms, and basic prevention measures can reduce risk.
Salmonella remains an ongoing concern because it can spread through contaminated foods and through contact with animals that appear healthy. In 2026, the CDC reported multistate Salmonella outbreaks linked to moringa leaf products, with 18 illnesses across 14 states and seven hospitalizations reported at the time of the alert [1]. Separately, a nationwide recall involved powdered milk, affecting pizzas, croutons, popcorn seasonings, drink mixes, chips, and other products made with potentially contaminated milk powder [2].
Consumers should take recalls seriously, avoid eating recalled products, and clean surfaces that may have contacted them. Salmonella infection often causes diarrhea, fever, and stomach cramps beginning 6 hours to 6 days after exposure, and severe symptoms such as bloody diarrhea, prolonged diarrhea, high fever, or dehydration require medical attention [1,2].
Animal contact is another pathway for Salmonella. Backyard poultry have been linked to a 2026 multistate outbreak that included at least 34 cases in 13 states, including five in Wisconsin [3]. Chicks and ducks can carry Salmonella even when they appear clean and healthy. Handwashing after handling birds, keeping poultry out of kitchens, and avoiding kissing or snuggling birds are simple but important precautions, especially for young children, older adults, and immunocompromised people.
On the global scale, hantavirus has been drawing significant attention due to the recent outbreak traced to the M/V Hondius cruise ship [4]. As of a recent CDC update, no U.S. cases had been confirmed from the outbreak, and the risk to the American public was considered extremely low [4]. Still, 18 potentially exposed people were repatriated for a 42-day monitoring period [4,5].
Tick-borne diseases also deserve attention as people begin to spend more time outdoors during warmer weather. Though it may not be at the top of people’s minds when it comes to infectious diseases, several tick-borne diseases are significant public health concerns in the U.S. Federal health officials have announced a national strategy to reduce and better treat Lyme disease and alpha-gal syndrome, reflecting the growing burden of tick-related illness [6].
Lyme disease can begin with fever, fatigue, headache, muscle aches, and a characteristic expanding rash, though the rash may not develop in all infected people [7]. Untreated infection can affect joints, the nervous system, and the heart. Preventive steps include using EPA-registered repellents, checking for ticks after outdoor activity, and removing attached ticks promptly.
Sexually transmitted infections remain widespread and consequential. CDC provisional data show that the combined number of reported chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis cases in the United States declined in 2024 but still exceeded 2.2 million reported infections, while congenital syphilis remained nearly 700% higher than a decade earlier [8]. Globally, WHO estimates that more than 1 million curable STIs are acquired every day among people aged 15–49 years, many without symptoms [9]. Testing, condoms, vaccination against HPV and hepatitis B, and prompt treatment are essential tools for prevention.
Infectious diseases in the U.S. come in many forms, but awareness is always the first step to preventing illness and reducing risk.
References
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. New Alert: Growing number of Salmonella illnesses and outbreaks linked to moringa leaf products. CDC (2026). Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2026/2026-growing-number-of-salmonella-illnesses-and-outbreaks-linked-to-moringa-leaf-products-consumers.html
- Cross, G. & Walrath-Holdridge, M. Growing salmonella recall includes croutons, pizza, more food. See list. USA Today (2026). Available at: https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/food/2026/05/27/salmonella-recall-powdered-milk-products-list/90275721007/
- Kirwan, H. Backyard poultry linked to salmonella infections in Wisconsin, across US. Wisconsin Public Radio (2026). Available at: https://www.wpr.org/news/backyard-poultry-salmonella-infections-wisconsin
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Andes Virus Outbreak on a Cruise Ship: Current Situation. CDC (2026). Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/hantavirus/situation-summary/index.html
- Goodman, B. Some hantavirus-exposed cruise ship passengers return home to finish quarantine. CNN (2026). Available at: https://edition.cnn.com/2026/06/01/health/hantavirus-passengers-home-quarantine
- Van Beusekom, M. HHS announces plan to reduce, better treat Lyme disease, alpha-gal syndrome. CIDRAP (2026). Available at: https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/tick-borne-disease/hhs-announces-plan-reduce-better-treat-lyme-disease-alpha-gal-syndrome
- Mayo Clinic. Lyme disease — Symptoms and causes. Mayo Clinic. Available at: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/lyme-disease/symptoms-causes/syc-20374651
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Sexually Transmitted Infections Surveillance, 2024 (Provisional). CDC (2025). Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/sti-statistics/annual/index.html
- World Health Organization. Sexually transmitted infections (STIs). WHO (2025). Available at: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/sexually-transmitted-infections-(stis)