Pet store puppies linked to drug-resistant outbreak that sickened people in 13 states
An outbreak of a drug-resistant infection that has sickened 30 people around the country is linked to contact with puppies sold at pet stores, according to public health officials.
Four people have been hospitalized so far as public health officials investigate cases of Campylobacter jejuni in 13 states, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
“Epidemiologic and laboratory evidence indicate that puppies purchased from pet stores are the likely source of this outbreak. Many of the cases had contact with puppies or were employees at pet stores, including Petland,” the CDC said.
Responding to the CDC report, Petland said in a statement, “Of 30 confirmed cases, only 12 people reported any contact with a Petland puppy, and five of those were Petland employees.” The company also noted that some cases were in states where the company does not have stores.
Petland has 81 stores in 20 states, mainly in the midwest and east, according to the company.
After a similar outbreak in 2016, Petland said it started a program that included requiring sanitary training for employees, sanitation stations for customers, educational material for customers and other measures.
“The CDC did not have any direct recommendations today regarding steps to keep puppies from exposure to this bacteria and recommended that Petland seek assistance from animal health officials,” the pet store chain said.
“Petland will endeavor to determine the sources of infection, and will, in the meantime, remind all employees of the importance of sanitation and hygienic practices to keep people and pets safe,” the company said.
People who get sick from the infection “develop diarrhea (often bloody), fever, and stomach cramps 2 to 5 days after being exposed to the bacteria,” the CDC said. Most people recover from the infection after about a week without antibiotics.
The cases date back to January, but the CDC reported the outbreak’s link to pet store puppies in a notice Tuesday.
“Investigators reported eight more ill people who had contact with a puppy at Petland and had a diagnostic test showing they were infected,” the CDC said, but it did not include those people in the total because they could not confirm the strain of bacteria.
Public health officials said they have not found one pet supplier tying the cases of infection together, but the investigation continues.
The CDC advises people with pets and pet store workers to wash their hands regularly, especially when cleaning up messes from puppies. Public health officials also said not to let puppies lick around the face, mouth and open wounds, and keep food away from where puppies are kept in pet stores.
“When choosing a pet dog, pick a puppy or dog that is bright, alert, and playful,” the CDC said.
This story was originally published December 18, 2019 at 6:49 AM with the headline "Pet store puppies linked to drug-resistant outbreak that sickened people in 13 states."
