DETROIT -- A spike in backyard poultry flocks has reportedly accompanied an increase in salmonella outbreaks, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention reports.

Between 1990 and 2005, the CDC reported 17 live poultry-associated salmonellosis outbreaks, which then jumped to 36 between 2006 and 2014.

The median size of an outbreak between 1990 and 2005 was 12 patients-per-case.

That number increased to a reported average size of 41 patient per outbreak between 2006 and 2014.

"Because only a small proportion of Salmonella infections are diagnosed and reported to public health departments, the actual number of illnesses in these outbreaks might be much larger with an estimated 29 additional infections going unreported for every reported case," the CDC report reads.

"Most contact occurred at the patients' home, and high-risk behaviors included keeping poultry inside the house and having close contact, such as holding, snuggling, or kissing poultry."

In 2015, there were 655 reports of salmonella cases in Michigan. Florida has the most with more than 4,000 infections.

Of the 53 outbreaks reported between 1990-2014, there were 387 hospitalizations and five deaths. The CDC reports that 41 of the 53 outbreaks were spread across multiple states.

The report cites multiple case studies, which come with a varying range of participants who responded.

"Among respondents with baby poultry exposure, 74% (276/373) reported that exposure occurred at the home," the report reads. "Approximately 76% (303/400) of respondents reported touching baby birds, 61% (227/373) reported touching the cage/coop of the baby birds, 49% (196/400) reported snuggling baby birds, and 13% (53/400) reported kissing baby birds."

To read the full report, click here.

With only a small sample size of infections being diagnosed and reported, the CDC states that the true number of salmonella sicknesses could be much higher. The federal agency estimates that as many as 29 additional unreported infections could accompany each reported case.

According to the data, those highest at risk are children 10 years or younger. Of 62 percent of the case-patients reporting contact with young poultry, 45 percent were younger than 10 years old.

"This finding is possibly attributable to the fact that children's immune systems are not fully developed and that young children typically have poor hand hygiene practices," the report reads. "Most contact occurred at the patients' home, and high-risk behaviors included keeping poultry inside the house and having close contact, such as holding, snuggling, or kissing poultry.

"These findings highlight the need for additional consumer education, especially on the risk for illness in children, the necessity for keeping live poultry outside of the home, and the recommendation to wash hands after coming in contact with live poultry."