Don't judge a pet by its fur.
"Pets can look healthy but can carry germs," says Ian Williams of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The CDC said recently that a rare form of salmonella has been linked to pet hedgehogs, with 20 infections reported in eight states, including one death. Forty-five percent of cases were in kids 10 or younger.
Hedgehogs make good pets, but owners must wash hands frequently, avoid kissing them and wear gloves when cleaning cages, says veterinarian Tony Poutous of Chesapeake, Va.
About 12.6 million of the USA's 66.5 million pet-owning households have exotic pets, says the American Veterinary Medical Association.
It's not just hedgehogs that pass salmonella bacteria to people. Other animals do, too, including chickens, guinea pigs, hamsters, snakes and turtles. The bacteria live in intestinal tracts and are passed through feces, contaminating feathers, fur and scales, says Williams, of the CDC's National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases.
Dogs and cats can spread salmonella to people, but there have been no big outbreaks, the CDC says. In July, however, it reported 49 cases in 20 states linked to dry dog food.
In people, the bacteria can cause salmonellosis, an infection that can cause abdominal pain, diarrhea and fever. Most people recover without treatment, but severe illnesses can lead to death. Infants, the elderly and those with weakened immune systems are more vulnerable.
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