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- On Friday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a notice of investigation warning that hedgehogs could carry salmonella.
- The notification came after 11 people reported being infected with salmonella, 10 of which had been in contact with pet hedgehogs.
- Washing hands and not kissing or cuddling hedgehogs, no matter how beautiful, can help prevent the contraction and spread of salmonella, according to the CDC.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) warn people that hedgehogs can carry salmonella.
On Friday, the CDC issued a notice of investigation after 11 people had been infected with salmonella. Of these 11 people, 10 had contact with pet hedgehogs. The CDC also discovered that the salmonella strain causing this outbreak, salmonella typhimurium, existed in three of the pet hedgehogs.
"Small pets can carry germs even if they look healthy and clean," writes the CDC on its website.
One person was hospitalized because of the outbreak, but no deaths occurred.
Handwashing and other safety measures can protect against salmonella infection
wash one's hands
As a result of this outbreak, the CDC explains to people the best ways to avoid salmonella, a bacterium that causes 23,000 hospitalizations and 450 deaths a year in the United States.
First, people handling hedgehogs should wash their hands regularly with soap and water. This includes whenever a person cleans habitats or simply holds the hedgehog. Clean the animal's cage and all surfaces that touch it is also important.
Families should also think about the types of pets they receive and the risks that accompany them. "Children under 5, adults over 65 or people with weakened immune systems have a higher risk of serious illness," said the CDC. "Households with these people might consider a different animal."
People should be aware of the symptoms of salmonella, such as nausea and diarrhea
In addition to taking the precautions above, knowing the symptoms of salmonella can help speed up treatment if necessary. Most people with salmonella develop diarrhea, fever and stomach cramps between 12 and 72 hours after being exposed to the bacteria.
Read more: The United States is bombarded by food poisoning alarms Here are 8 foods that an expert says that he refuses to eat
Usually these symptoms last four to seven days and go away on their own, the CDC noted.
If, however, the symptoms persist longer or if a person suffers from severe dehydration caused by diarrhea, she may need to be hospitalized and given antibiotics.
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