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Animal contact poses risk for transmission of major enteric pathogens
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Animal contact was responsible for transmission of multiple major enteric pathogens among US residents, with Campylobacter, Cryptosporidium and nontyphoidal Salmonella species as the leading causes of illness, according to CDC researchers.
Data were pooled from the US Foodborne Diseases Active Surveillance Network and other sources to estimate the number of enteric illnesses that were attributed to animal contact. Seven pathogens were evaluated: Campylobacter species, Cryptosporidium species, Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) O157, STEC non-O157, Listeria monocytogenes, nontyphoidal Salmonella species and Yersinia enterocolitica.
The researchers found that approximately 14% of all enteric illnesses caused by these pathogens may be attributed to animal contact, which translates to 445,213 illnesses annually for the seven groups combined. Campylobacter species caused 42% of the illnesses attributable to animal contact, translating to 187,481 illnesses annually.
Of the illnesses attributed to animal contact, nontyphoidal Salmonella species caused 127,155 illnesses, Cryptosporidium species caused 113,344 illnesses, STEC non-O517 caused 10,097 illnesses and STEC O517 caused 5,960 illnesses. A small proportion of animal contact-related illnesses were caused by L. monocytogenes and Y. enterocolitica.
Illnesses attributed to animal contact resulted in approximately 4,933 hospitalizations and 76 deaths. The leading cause of hospitalization was nontyphoidal Salmonella species, followed by Campylobacter species and Cryptosporidium species.
“The estimates of illnesses, hospitalizations and deaths attributed to animal contact transmission emphasize the need to implement interventions and educational programs,” the researchers wrote. “Illnesses can be prevented by educating the public and occupational workers about potential risks and by ensuring that interventions are in public places where persons come into contact with animals.”
References:
Hale CR. Clin Infect Dis. 2012;54:S472-S479.
Disclosures:
The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.