
Authorities are scrambling after puppies sold at a pet store chain caused an outbreak of disease that has so far sicken 39 people, officials believe.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are on high alert this week after a multistate outbreak of campylobacter infections that authorities believe started due to contact with puppiese sold at a national pet store chain. Officials think 39 people have fallen ill in seven states due to the puppies sold at Petland.
Camplyobacteriosis is a common bacterial infection that can result in nasty symptoms, like abdominal pain, diarrhea, and fever. The seven states affected are Florida, Kansas, Missouri, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, and Wisconsin. The first case was reported almost a year ago on Sept. 15, 2016.
Authorities typically report about 14 cases per 100,000 people each year in the United States. It is believed to impact 1.3 million people each year. Most patients recover within five days without treatment.
“The Ohio Department of Health, several other states, CDC, and USDA-APHIS are investigating a multistate outbreak of human Campylobacter infections linked to puppies sold through Petland stores,” reads the CDC statement. “Investigators are looking for the source of infections in people and puppies so they can recommend how to stop the outbreak and prevent more illnesses in order to protect human and animal health. As of September 11, 2017, the outbreak includes 39 cases in 7 states (Florida, Kansas, Missouri, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, and Wisconsin). A list of the number of cases by state can be found on the Case Count Map page.”
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