Salmonella and E.coli infections from contact with animals have been reported in Minnesota this summer. Sone of the illnesses were from pets, others were from petting zoos.
Thirteen people who visited petting zoos at county fairs during July in Minnesota were sickened by E.coli. Lab test showed that source of the illnesses was the Zerebko Zoo Tran traveling petting zoo which made appearances at the Nashwauk 4th of July Festival, July 3-5 , the Polk County Fair, July 9-13; the Rice County Fair, July 15-20; and the Olmsted County Fair, July 21-27. Two of the 13 who were sickened developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), which can cause kidney failure.
Three Minnesotans were part of a 36-state Salmonella outbreak linked to pet bearded dragons. The lizards that are native to Australia were contaminated with two rare strains, Salmonella Cotham and Salmonella Kisarawe. Since 1963, just 0.01 percent of all humanSalmonella isolates in the U.S. have been Salmonella Cotham, according to the CDC. Salmonella Kisarawe is also uncommon
A Salmonella outbreak linked to backyard flocks of live poultry sickened 300 people in 42 states including one person in Minnesota. Public health officials have linked this outbreak to contact with chicks, ducklings, and other live poultry from Mt. Healthy Hatcheries in Ohio. Mt Healthy was also linked to live poultry outbreak in 2013 and 2012..
