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CDC links pet guinea pigs to multistate Salmonella outbreak
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The CDC has announced a multistate outbreak of Salmonella enteritidis infections linked to pet guinea pigs.
An outbreak of nine Salmonella infections in eight states is being investigated by the CDC, several states and the U.S. Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. One hospitalization and no deaths have been reported.
The CDC reports that epidemiologic and laboratory evidence has indicated that contact with pet guinea pigs is the likely source of the outbreak, with illnesses reported between July 17, 2015, and Dec. 15, 2017.
Contact with a guinea pig or its habitat in the week before getting sick was reported by four of seven people interviewed. An ill person’s pet guinea pig in Vermont was used to identify the outbreak strain of Salmonella, according to the CDC.
The agency also reports that illnesses could continue if people are unaware of the risk.
The investigation began in December 2017, when CDC PulseNet identified three Salmonella infections that were identified through whole genome sequencing. Six additional cases dating back to 2015 were identified upon a review of the PulseNet database.
“This outbreak is a reminder that pet rodents such as guinea pigs, regardless of where they are purchased or adopted, can carry Salmonella bacteria, even when they look healthy and clean,” the CDC reported.
Recommendations from the CDC include:
- Not keeping pet rodents for children younger than 5 years, nor as pets in childcare centers; and
- Any time a pet rodent is touched, fed or cared for, hands should be washed.