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According to a new report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, puppy contacts in six pet store companies in 18 states resulted in infections that left more than 100 people sick. The cause of the disease was Campylobacter, an infectious disease that causes diarrhea, fever and abdominal cramps.
According to the CDC, Campylobacter causes about 1.3 million diarrheal diseases in the United States each year. The majority of cases are due to the consumption of raw or undercooked poultry or the consumption of something that has affected the bacteria.
But in these cases, health officials have found a link between diseases and pet puppies. The results are published in the CDC's weekly report on morbidity and mortality.
From January 2016 to February 2018, 118 people, including 29 pet shop employees, were infected. No deaths occurred, but at least 26 people were hospitalized.
A total of 105 infected persons reported being exposed to dogs, of which 101 contact with a puppy pet.
No breeder or distributor was found at the origin of the outbreak (although Petland was involved in the notification of the CDC outbreak last year). The investigators collected puppy samples from 20 pet stores, they found that 95% of them had received one or more antibiotic treatments before they arrived or at the store.
More than half of the puppies received antibiotics as a way to prevent infection rather than for the treatment of a disease. This practice, called prophylaxis, is widely used in the livestock industries and is often cited as a contributing factor to diet antibiotic resistance.
Some of the antibiotics given to the puppies were the same as those to which the infected persons had become resistant during the epidemic.
Most people recover completely from Campylobacter infections, but in people with weakened immune systems, including some people with certain blood diseases, AIDS, or chemotherapy, the bacteria can sometimes spread to the bloodstream. cause a life-threatening infection.
The CDC claims that the investigation is over but that "the risk of transmission of multidrug-resistant Campylobacter to employees and consumers persists".
The CDC recommends that people take the following precautions to protect themselves and others while enjoying dogs and puppies:
- Wash your hands thoroughly after touching dogs, poop or food. Take extra care so that children playing with puppies wash their hands thoroughly.
- Collect and discard dog poop, especially in areas where children can play.
- Contact your veterinarian if you notice signs of illness in your puppy or dog.
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