Outbreak of human infections with uncommon Salmonella serotypes linked to pet bearded dragons, 2012-2014.
Zoonoses Public Health
; 67(4): 425-434, 2020 06.
Article
en En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-32304287
ABSTRACT
Reptiles are one of the fastest growing sectors in the United States pet industry. Reptile-associated salmonellosis (RAS) continues to be an important public health problem, especially among children. We investigated an outbreak of human Salmonella infections resulting from serotypes Cotham and Kisarawe, predominately occurring among children. An outbreak of illnesses was identified in persons with exposure to pet bearded dragon lizards. Human and animal health officials, in cooperation with the pet industry, conducted epidemiologic, traceback and laboratory investigations. Onsite sampling was conducted at two US breeding facilities, one foreign breeding facility, and a large pet retail chain. A total of 166 patients in 36 states were identified with illness onset dates from 02/2012-06/2014. The median patient age was 3 years (range, <1-79 years), 57% were aged ≤5 years, and 37% were aged ≤1 year. Forty-four patients (37%) were hospitalized, predominantly children. Sampling at breeding facilities and a national pet store chain resulted in isolation of outbreak serotypes at each facility; isolation proportions ranged from 2%-24% of samples collected at each facility.Epidemiologic, microbiologic and traceback evidence linked an outbreak of uncommon Salmonella serotypes to contact with pet bearded dragons. The high proportion of infants involved in this outbreak highlights the need to educate owners about the risk of RAS in children and the potential for household contamination by pet reptiles or their habitats. Strategies should be developed to improve breeding practices, biosecurity and monitoring protocols to reduce Salmonella in the pet reptile trade.
Palabras clave
Texto completo:
1
Colección:
01-internacional
Base de datos:
MEDLINE
Asunto principal:
Salmonella
/
Infecciones por Salmonella
/
Zoonosis
/
Mascotas
/
Lagartos
Tipo de estudio:
Guideline
Límite:
Adolescent
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Adult
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Aged
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Animals
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Child
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Child, preschool
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Female
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Humans
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Infant
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Male
País/Región como asunto:
America do norte
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Zoonoses Public Health
Asunto de la revista:
MEDICINA VETERINARIA
/
SAUDE PUBLICA
Año:
2020
Tipo del documento:
Article
País de afiliación:
Estados Unidos