African pygmy hedgehogs are the source of an outbreak of
salmonella infections that have sickened 14 people, including
children, health officials said. Spiky pet hedgehogs may be
adorable, but they’re also a source of salmonella infections
that have sickened at least 14 people in six states, government
health officials said. Half of those infected with the outbreak
strain of Salmonella Typhimurium linked to the prickly critters
are kids younger than 10, according to the Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention. Three people have been hospitalized. The
pets in question appear to be African dwarf hedgehogs purchased
from multiple breeders in different states, according to
laboratory, epidemiologic and trace-back tests. Illnesses were
reported from Dec. 26, 2011, through Aug. 13, 2012. In
interviews with 10 people who got sick, all 10 reported contact
with the hedgehogs or their environments before becoming ill,
CDC officials said. Five of the illnesses were reported in
Washington state, three in Michigan, two