MINNEAPOLIS — This Christmas some people had their hearts set on puppies and other pets. But if you gifted a dog there is a warning from the CDC.
About 30 people across 13 states including Minnesota have been infected by the bacteria linked to petting puppies from pet stores.
Dr. Frank Rhame is an infectious Disease Specialist with Allina Health. He said the illness can lasts about seven days in people. He says people can recover without antibiotics.
Yet, this outbreak has layers.
It is called campylobacter. The CDC says it causes 1.5 million illnesses each year in the U.S., Symptoms include diarrhea that’s often bloody, fever and stomach cramps. Rhame said it doesn’t necessarily mean avoiding contact with your puppy, however, he discourages handling other pets that may carry the bacteria.
“Everybody is going to handle their puppies. Can I tell you not to handle a puppy? No, that is really tough,” he said. “We don't like encouraging close contact with reptiles. They are all practically full of salmonella and some with Campylobacter. That is hazardous”
If you must handle your animals, Rhame encourages hand washing after each encounter.
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