Pet Store Rodent Contact 2003
Rodents(mice, rats, hamsters) shipped from an Iowa pet distributor to 15 pet stores in the midwestern USA were infected with an unusual strain of Salmonella Typhimurium, DT 120. Related human illnesses were identified in at least ten states involving at least fifteen persons. Known rodent exposures included mice/rats purchased to feed snakes (seven cases), pet mice/rats (four), and pet hamsters (two). The human and animal Salmonella isolates were uniformly resistant to certain antibiotics. Pet distributors in Georgia or Arkansas were the origen of most of the pet store rodents.
- Outbreak began:
- December 2003
- Affected Country:
- US
- Affected States/Territories:
- Minnesota, Pennsylvania, Georgia, New Jersey, South Carolina
- Organism(s):
-
- Salmonella
- Vehicle(s):
- Animal Contact
- Molecular Results Available:
- Unknown
- Test Results:
- None
- Location(s):
- Pet Store
- Brand Name(s):
- Product Subject to Recall:
- Yes
-
- Recall Links:
- Unknown
- Total ill:
- 15
- Number ill by Case Definition Known:
- Yes
- Number Laboratory Confirmed Cases:
- 15
- Number Probable Cases:
- 0
- Number Possible Cases:
- 0
- Anyone Hospitalized:
- Yes
- Number Hospitalized:
- 6
- Any Deaths:
- Unknown
- Number Dead:
- Unknown
- Any References:
- Yes