Multiple Salmonella Outbreaks Linked to Pet Hedgehogs and Bearded Dragons
Salmonella Typhimurium Infections
The Centers for Disease and Control Prevention have reported multiple cases of salmonella outbreaks affecting people in multiple states. These outbreaks have been linked to pet hedgehogs and bearded dragons.
32 infections in 17 states, which includes New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Virginia, had reported an outbreak of the strain Salmonella typhimurium infections. Five of these cases were hospitalized and are being linked to contact with pet hedgehogs.
There were no deaths reported. However, sixteen out of the 23 people that were interviewed reported that they came in contact with a hedgehog right before becoming sick.
Salmonella Muenster Infections
The CDC is also investigating another strain of the infection, Salmonella Muenster, wherein 13 infections and seven hospitalizations in eight states - including Mass. and New Hampshire - were linked to contact with pet bearded dragons. Again, there were no deaths reported.
Five people who contracted the disease from their pet bearded dragons were children under 5 years of age.
Health officials have not yet identified the common source or the common supplier who may have caused the spread of these infections as most patients reported buying from different sellers, pet stores, breeders and even online shops in different states.
The CDC did not identify all of the states involved n the outbreaks, though it said that samples coming from a hedgehog in the home of an ill person in New York contained the strain that was making people sick.
CDC Recommendations
The CDC advised pet owners to always wash hands thoroughly with soap and water right after handling pets and its environment, especially those small mammals and reptiles that are prone to spread the salmonella infection to human.
The CDC also warned owners to avoid kissing or snuggling their pet, and keep them away from places where you eat, prepare or store food.
According to sales associate Skylynn Lyons, bearded dragons and hedgehogs are some of the most popular pets that are sold at NJ Exotic Pets in Lodi, New Jersey. These types of animals become friendlier the more you interact with them, and since hedgehogs spend several hours of the day running on wheels and usually defecates while using it, it is possible to get contaminated with the animal's feces and getting salmonella infection after handling them.
The store also recommends pet owners to wash and clean the hedgehog wheels each morning aside from regular handwashing.
Salmonella Infection
Most people who get infected with salmonella will develop diarrhea, fever and stomach cramps. These symptoms may start six hours to six days after being exposed to the infected animal. The illness may last for 4-7 days, with most people recovering without the need for treatment.
Children under than 5 years old, adults older than 65 years old, and those with weak immune systems are most likely to develop more severe cases of the disease. The CDC has also investigated the same outbreak strain linked to hedgehogs in 2012 and in 2019 and strongly reminds the public that regardless of where the pets were purchased, proper steps must be taken to protect your health.
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Oct 04, 2020 09:56 PM EDT
