Pet Store Puppies Linked to Outbreak of Campylobacter

Puppies sold through Petland pet stores have been linked to an outbreak of Campylobacter.  There have been 39 cases (12 of those are store employees) in 7 states.  Age of those who became ill ranged from one year old to 77.

Petland doesn't necessarily agree with the assessment “The CDC has not identified any failures of Petland’s operating system that would lead to any Campylobacter infection. Petland reinforces proper hand sanitization before and after playing with any of our puppies with the many sanitation stations in each store and has strict kennel sanitation procedures and protocols put in place by consulting veterinarians.   “… we again stress the importance of proper hand sanitizing when handling pets and when handling their food or waste. It is also important not to let any dog lick your mouth.”

Campylobacter would be spread through the fecal material that can be left on the fur of the dog or even on the carpet.

Multistate Outbreak of Human Campylobacter Infections Linked to Pet Store Puppies
Posted September 11, 2017 9:00 AM ET
Outbreak Advisory

• Cases 39
• States 7
• Hospitalizations 9
• Death 0

Read Advice to Pet Owners and Advice to Pet Store Workers.

• The Ohio Department of Health, several other states, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the United States Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA-APHIS) are investigating a multistate outbreak of human Campylobacter infections linked to puppies sold through Petland, a national pet store chain.
• The outbreak includes 39 people with laboratory-confirmed Campylobacter infections or symptoms consistent with Campylobacter infection who live in 7 states (Florida, Kansas, Missouri, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, and Wisconsin) and were exposed to puppies sold through Petland stores. ◦12 are Petland employees from 4 states.
• 27 either recently purchased a puppy at Petland, visited a Petland, or visited or live in a home with a puppy sold through Petland before illness began
• Epidemiologic and laboratory evidence indicates that puppies sold through Petland stores are a likely source of this outbreak. Petland is cooperating with public health and animal health officials to address this outbreak.
• Campylobacter can spread through contact with dog poop (feces). It usually does not spread from one person to another.
• This investigation is ongoing. CDC will provide updates as more information becomes available.