The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have updated their investigation into a Salmonella Typhimurium outbreak linked to African Pygmy Hedgehogs or pet hedgehogs. Now 23 people have been sickened in 9 states. Seven people have been hospitalized, and one person in Washington state has died.
The case count is: Alabama (1), Idaho (1), Illinois (1), Indiana (1), Michigan (3), Minnesota (3), Ohio (5), Oregon (1), and Washington (7). Thirty-nine percent of ill persons are children 10 years of age or younger. Among persons who reported the date they became ill, the illnesses began between December 26, 2011 and March 5, 2013. Ill persons range in age from less than 1 year to 91 years, with a median age of 14 years. Sixty-one percent of ill persons are female.
Of the 22 ill persons who have been interviewed, nineteen, or 86%, reported contact with pet hedgehogs or their environment before becoming ill. Patients also reported purchasing pet hedgehogs from multiple breeders in several states. The outbreak strain of Salmonella Typhimurium was isolated from environmental samples of a hedgehog’s wheel, ramp, feed area, bedding, and feces in Illinois. The outbreak strain was also isolated from an Ohio hedgehog’s feces.
The CDC has information about how to avoid contracting Salmonella from “pocket pets”. Always wash your hands with soap and water after handling rodents or their cages and bedding. Do not eat food while handling your pet, and do not handle pets in food preparation areas. When buying a pocket pet, don’t pick one that is quiet, tired, has diarrhea, or looks sickly. If one of the animals in the cage has diarrhea or looks sick, the others may have been exposed to an infectious disease.
Great pointers on “pocket pets”! Exactly what I call them. People think that it’s alright to bring their “pocket puppies” into restaurants and grocery stores. Another issue right now is chicks. My family is brooding chicks and is very concious about washing our hands after handling them.