Salmonella Outbreak Linked to Hedgehogs Sickens 20 People
Jan 31, 2013 | 12:00 PM ET | Rachael Rettner, MyHealthNewsDaily Staff Writer
Salmonella typhimurium (red) invades cultured human cells in this color-enhanced scanning electron micrograph. CREDIT: Rocky Mountain Laboratories, NIAID, NIH |
All the patients were infected with a strain of bacteria called Salmonella typhimurium. Fourteen of the ill people reported direct contact with hedgehogs, the CDC said.
The outbreak began in December 2011, and has continued into 2013. So far, four people have been hospitalized, and one has died. Many of the affected have been children, the CDC said.
Although the most common source of salmonella infections is food poisoning, animals can spread the disease as well. Besides hedgehogs, salmonella outbreaks have also been linked to pet turtles.
To reduce the risk of infection, it's important to wash your hands after handling hedgehogs, or anything the animals come in contact with, the CDC said. Adults should supervise children around hedgehogs and make sure the youngsters wash their hands after touching the animal or anything the hedgehog has been in contact with.
The report will be published this week in the CDC's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.
Pass it on: Twenty people have fallen ill from a salmonella outbreak linked to hedgehogs.
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