In response to the recent media hype about hedgehogs and Salmonella - it is our professional opinion that there is NO health risk. We suggest good hand washing and sanitation habits with ANY pet, including hedgehogs. A little common sense goes a long way!
Please click here for a more in depth discussion, and do not hesitate to contact us with any additional questions!
Please click here for a more in depth discussion, and do not hesitate to contact us with any additional questions!
Hedgehogs and Salmonella
"Can I get Salmonella from my pet hedgehog?"
"Are hedgehogs a health risk?"
"Are hedgehogs a health risk?"
We've been getting these questions a lot lately, ever since the CDC released an updated advisory (dated 1/31/13) about cases of Salmonella linked to hedgehogs.
The media, very predictably, caught on immediately and there have been a virtual avalanche of articles and news reports on this topic. Most of these do a poor job at presenting straight-forward, factual information - they are heavily biased. That's what the media does best: it feeds off of fear, paranoia, and controversy. Along the way, hedgehogs have suddenly gotten a bad reputation that is completely unwarranted and undeserved.
The abridged version: Hedgehogs DO NOT present a health risk as long as you practice basic hand washing and sanitation, and use some common sense.
Ask any hedgehog breeder, or anyone who has been involved with hedgehogs for a while, and you'll get the same reply. This isn't to cover up something that's a real health problem, or to lessen the blow that's been dealt to the "popularity" of these animals as pets. This is to present the facts about hedgehogs and Salmonella in an honest, objective way.
Any of the information presented below can be verified by reading the CDC's website:
CDC - Salmonella (General/Index)
CDC - Human Salmonella Typhimurium Infections Linked to Hedgehogs
CDC - Prevention of Salmonella
GENERAL FACTS ABOUT SALMONELLA:
• Salmonella is the name of a genus of bacteria. In humans, the infection/illness caused by Salmonella bacteria is called Salmonellosis.
• The Salmonella bacteria enters through the digestive tract (meaning, it is somehow consumed). In a healthy adult, it must be ingested in a large/concentrated number to cause illness or symptoms.
• Salmonellosis is primarily caused by eating raw or undercooked food. The main risk is associated with meat and eggs, but it is also possible to become ill after eating fresh fruit or vegetables that have not been thoroughly washed.
• In the US, there are approximately 40,000 cases of Salmonella infection reported each year.
• Because most illness caused by Salmonella is not severe enough to require medical attention or hospitalization, most cases are not reported. The CDC estimates that the total number of cases each year in the US is actually around 1.2 million.
• All animals (including hedgehogs, reptiles, cats and dogs, and even humans) have the potential to carry Salmonella naturally in their bodies. That doesn't mean they always do, or even that it's "common", just that it's a possibility any pet owner should be aware of.
• Salmonella can therefore be present in the feces of any animal.
FACTS ABOUT SALMONELLA AND HEDGEHOGS:
• According to the most recent report from the CDC, there have been a total of 20 cases of illness from infection by a specific train of Salmonella infection linked to hedgehogs.
• "Linked to" or "associated with", in this context, means that the people were questioned and reported having had contact with a hedgehog or a hedgehog's living environment within 7 days of the onset of the symptoms. It does not mean that the specific hedgehog was tested or in any way "proven" to be the source.
• Of the 20 cases, there were 4 hospitalizations and 1 death. 45% of the cases occurred in children age 10 or younger. The individual who died was 90 years old.
• The same strain of Salmonella was responsible for 261 cases (reported in 2012) in association with eating cantaloupe.
SOME CONCLUSIONS:
• When compared to the estimated total number of cases per year in the US alone (1.2 million), the number of cases connected to hedgehogs is statistically insignificant.
• Hand washing is an important but often overlooked part of being a pet owner, with any pet at all. It's especially important for the elderly, children, or anyone with a compromised immune system.
TIPS:
• Wash your hands (with antibacterial soap) before and after handling your hedgehog. Before is for their benefit, and after is for your benefit.
• Wash your hands after cleaning the hedgehog's cage or wheel, changing the litter, and so on - anything that might put your hands in contact with poop.
• Remember that even if poop itself is not visible, bacteria from the poop might still be present.
• Encourage hand washing for any guests or friends who want to handle your hedgehog.
• Hand sanitizer should not be used in place of hand washing, but it can be good as a supplement to good hand washing habits, or for use when you don't have a bathroom available.
• Parents should enforce good hand washing habits in their children. Children that are too young, or who have not demonstrated the ability to practice hand washing habits without being reminded, should not be allowed to handle the hedgehog or access the hedgehog's cage without supervision.
• While handling handling hedgehogs, children should not put their hands in their mouth. Touching the face should also be avoided.
• Be mindful of washing your hedgehog's supplies (such as the wheel) or giving your hedgehog a bath in the kitchen sink. It does not have to be avoided completely, just be aware. Set aside a sponge or scrub pad to be used ONLY for the hedgehog's items, and not for any kitchen appliances or food preparation surfaces. Rinse the sink thoroughly when you're finished. Lightly mist the sink and the surrounding counter area with your cleaner of choice and let it air dry.
• Do not let your hedgehog walk around on your kitchen counter. Or, if you prefer, make sure to clean up any poop. Lightly spray the area afterward with your cleaner of choice and let it air dry.
• Regularly bathe your hedgehog and give it foot baths to keep the feet clean.
• Kissing, or cuddling the hedgehog near the face, should be avoided by anyone with a deficient immune system, including children and the elderly.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us at volcanoviewhedgehogs@gmail.com.
The media, very predictably, caught on immediately and there have been a virtual avalanche of articles and news reports on this topic. Most of these do a poor job at presenting straight-forward, factual information - they are heavily biased. That's what the media does best: it feeds off of fear, paranoia, and controversy. Along the way, hedgehogs have suddenly gotten a bad reputation that is completely unwarranted and undeserved.
The abridged version: Hedgehogs DO NOT present a health risk as long as you practice basic hand washing and sanitation, and use some common sense.
Ask any hedgehog breeder, or anyone who has been involved with hedgehogs for a while, and you'll get the same reply. This isn't to cover up something that's a real health problem, or to lessen the blow that's been dealt to the "popularity" of these animals as pets. This is to present the facts about hedgehogs and Salmonella in an honest, objective way.
Any of the information presented below can be verified by reading the CDC's website:
CDC - Salmonella (General/Index)
CDC - Human Salmonella Typhimurium Infections Linked to Hedgehogs
CDC - Prevention of Salmonella
GENERAL FACTS ABOUT SALMONELLA:
• Salmonella is the name of a genus of bacteria. In humans, the infection/illness caused by Salmonella bacteria is called Salmonellosis.
• The Salmonella bacteria enters through the digestive tract (meaning, it is somehow consumed). In a healthy adult, it must be ingested in a large/concentrated number to cause illness or symptoms.
• Salmonellosis is primarily caused by eating raw or undercooked food. The main risk is associated with meat and eggs, but it is also possible to become ill after eating fresh fruit or vegetables that have not been thoroughly washed.
• In the US, there are approximately 40,000 cases of Salmonella infection reported each year.
• Because most illness caused by Salmonella is not severe enough to require medical attention or hospitalization, most cases are not reported. The CDC estimates that the total number of cases each year in the US is actually around 1.2 million.
• All animals (including hedgehogs, reptiles, cats and dogs, and even humans) have the potential to carry Salmonella naturally in their bodies. That doesn't mean they always do, or even that it's "common", just that it's a possibility any pet owner should be aware of.
• Salmonella can therefore be present in the feces of any animal.
FACTS ABOUT SALMONELLA AND HEDGEHOGS:
• According to the most recent report from the CDC, there have been a total of 20 cases of illness from infection by a specific train of Salmonella infection linked to hedgehogs.
• "Linked to" or "associated with", in this context, means that the people were questioned and reported having had contact with a hedgehog or a hedgehog's living environment within 7 days of the onset of the symptoms. It does not mean that the specific hedgehog was tested or in any way "proven" to be the source.
• Of the 20 cases, there were 4 hospitalizations and 1 death. 45% of the cases occurred in children age 10 or younger. The individual who died was 90 years old.
• The same strain of Salmonella was responsible for 261 cases (reported in 2012) in association with eating cantaloupe.
SOME CONCLUSIONS:
• When compared to the estimated total number of cases per year in the US alone (1.2 million), the number of cases connected to hedgehogs is statistically insignificant.
• Hand washing is an important but often overlooked part of being a pet owner, with any pet at all. It's especially important for the elderly, children, or anyone with a compromised immune system.
TIPS:
• Wash your hands (with antibacterial soap) before and after handling your hedgehog. Before is for their benefit, and after is for your benefit.
• Wash your hands after cleaning the hedgehog's cage or wheel, changing the litter, and so on - anything that might put your hands in contact with poop.
• Remember that even if poop itself is not visible, bacteria from the poop might still be present.
• Encourage hand washing for any guests or friends who want to handle your hedgehog.
• Hand sanitizer should not be used in place of hand washing, but it can be good as a supplement to good hand washing habits, or for use when you don't have a bathroom available.
• Parents should enforce good hand washing habits in their children. Children that are too young, or who have not demonstrated the ability to practice hand washing habits without being reminded, should not be allowed to handle the hedgehog or access the hedgehog's cage without supervision.
• While handling handling hedgehogs, children should not put their hands in their mouth. Touching the face should also be avoided.
• Be mindful of washing your hedgehog's supplies (such as the wheel) or giving your hedgehog a bath in the kitchen sink. It does not have to be avoided completely, just be aware. Set aside a sponge or scrub pad to be used ONLY for the hedgehog's items, and not for any kitchen appliances or food preparation surfaces. Rinse the sink thoroughly when you're finished. Lightly mist the sink and the surrounding counter area with your cleaner of choice and let it air dry.
• Do not let your hedgehog walk around on your kitchen counter. Or, if you prefer, make sure to clean up any poop. Lightly spray the area afterward with your cleaner of choice and let it air dry.
• Regularly bathe your hedgehog and give it foot baths to keep the feet clean.
• Kissing, or cuddling the hedgehog near the face, should be avoided by anyone with a deficient immune system, including children and the elderly.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us at volcanoviewhedgehogs@gmail.com.
