Don’t kiss the puppies

Don’t kiss the puppies


Recently, 39 people in seven states became ill after touching Campylobacter-infected puppies at a national pet store chain. Nine people were so sick they had to be hospitalized.

Campylobacter [CAMP-ill-δ-back-ter] is an organism that causes severe intestinal illness and fever. Although infections usually resolve within a week, they can be fatal in folks with weakened immune systems.

Campylobacter infections usually develop in people who’ve eaten undercooked or contaminated chicken. But they can also be due to contact with an infected puppy’s stool. And the puppy itself might not even look sick.

That’s why the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend that you pick up after dogs, especially in kids’ play areas. Always wash your hands after handling dogs, their waste or their food, and make sure children wash up too after playing with dogs.

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