Pet puppies are linked to drug-resistant infections: CDC

Puppies are cute. But in rare cases, contact with them puts people at risk for a multidrug-resistant bacterial infection, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) warns in a new report.

Between January 2016 and February 2018, the CDC identified 118 people, including 29 pet shop employees, from 18 states who developed infections with Campylobacter jejuni apparently related to puppies. While the investigation into the outbreak is over, "the risk of multidrug-resistant Campylobacter transmission to employees and consumers persists," says the CDC.

According to the CDC, bacteria from the Campylobacter family are a common cause of diarrhea and affect more than one million Americans each year. The bacteria usually spread by eating or drinking contaminated food or water, but it may also be present in dog or cat feces.

TIME Health Report

Get the latest news in health and science, as well as hot questions and expert advice. See a sample

Exposure to commercially-sold puppies may be a risk factor for disease, the report says. At least 105 of those affected had been exposed to dogs before becoming ill and 101 reported having been in contact with a pet.

No breeder, distributor or transporter has been identified as the source of the outbreak, according to the CDC. But when the agency investigated six pet companies involved in the outbreak, they discovered that many of their puppies had been treated with antibiotics before arriving at the retail stores. Some of the antibiotics were the same ones that people became resistant to during the epidemic, suggesting that over-reliance on antibiotics in pets may be at the root of drug-resistant infections.

The vast majority of people who interact with dogs will not get sick. But the report reminds consumers, retailers and clinicians that pet puppies can be a source of campylobacteriosis. CDC can reduce the risk of illness by washing hands frequently, not eating near animal areas, and wearing protective equipment when cleaning pet cages or toys. Animal guardians and providers, meanwhile, should follow appropriate antibiotic use practices, in order to avoid contributing to drug resistance.