Estimated read time: 1-2 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
SALT LAKE CITY — Federal and state health officials are investigating an outbreak of an infection found in puppies purchased from pet stores.
In a statement, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention lists Utah among the 13 states where a strain of Campylobacter jejuni has been reported.
Thirty cases of this strain of Campylobacter jejuni have been reported across the United States. Four people have been hospitalized, according to the CDC.
The CDC said it has interviewed at least 24 people who’ve become ill. Of those people, 88% reported contact with a puppy. Others reported contact with a puppy from a pet store, some specifically with Petland, which is a national pet store chain.
Many of the people who’ve become ill have two things in common; namely, they either work at a pet store or have had contact with a puppy from a pet store.
The CDC said that epidemiologic and laboratory evidence shows contact with puppies, especially those at pet stores, is the likely source of this outbreak.
A similar outbreak spanned 2016 to 2018. During those years, the CDC said 113 people became sick due to an infection connected to puppies and dogs sold through Petland stores. That outbreak spread to 17 U.S. states and resulted in 23 hospitalizations.
A dog can carry Campylobacter germs even if the dog appears to be healthy.
OUTBREAK NOTICE: 30 people in 13 states are infected with multidrug-resistant #Campylobacter linked to pet store puppies. Wash your hands after touching dogs or their food, or cleaning up after them. Learn more: https://t.co/WPdBIKD4rMpic.twitter.com/FoPdgJ90D6
— CDC (@CDCgov) December 17, 2019
The CDC recommends those who come in contact with puppies (or their food or waste products) wash their hands thoroughly with soap and water. Parents should supervise young children’s handwashing and use hand sanitizer until they are able to wash hands thoroughly.
Symptoms of Campylobacter infection in people include diarrhea, fever, and stomach cramps 2 to 5 days after exposure. Antibiotics are only needed for people at high risk of severe diseases, such as those with weakened immune systems.
