SALMONELLOSIS, SEROTYPE TYPHIMURIUM - USA: FROGS
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Date: Thu 7 Apr 2011
Source: CDC [edited]
<http://www.cdc.gov/salmonella/water-frogs-0411/040711/index.html>
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is collaborating with public health officials in many states to investigate a multi-state outbreak of human _Salmonella [enterica_ serotype] Typhimurium infections associated with contact with water frogs, such as African dwarf frogs. Water frogs commonly live in habitats such as aquariums or fish tanks. As of 5 Apr 2011, a total of 217 individuals infected with the outbreak strain of _S._ Typhimurium have been reported from 41 states since 1 Apr 2009. The number of ill person identified in each state is as follows: Alaska (5), Alabama (2), Arizona (10), California (17), Colorado (12), Connecticut (3), Florida (1), Georgia (4), Idaho (4), Illinois (8), Indiana (1), Kansas (2), Kentucky (4), Louisiana (2), Massachusetts (6), Maryland (5), Michigan (6), Minnesota (1), Missouri (5), Mississippi (1), Montana (2), North Carolina (1), Nebraska (2), New Hampshire (3), New Jersey (3), New Mexico (2), Nevada (3), New York (7), Ohio (7), Oklahoma (1), Oregon (5), Pennsylvania (14), South Dakota (3), Tennessee (4), Texas (4), Utah (18), Virginia (11), Vermont (1), Washington (23), Wisconsin (3), and West Virginia (1).
Among the persons for whom information is available, illnesses began
9 Apr 2009. Infected individuals range in age from less than 1 year old to 73 years old; 71 percent of patients are younger than 10 years old, and the median age is 5 years old. 51 percent of patients are female. Among ill persons, 34 percent were hospitalized. No deaths have been reported.
Surveillance for additional illness continues through analysis of data in PulseNet, the national network of public health and food regulatory agency laboratories coordinated by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Investigation of the Outbreak
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The CDC, in collaboration with many state and local health departments, is continuing to investigate an outbreak of Salmonella infections associated with contact with water frogs, specifically, African dwarf frogs. In interviews, ill persons answered questions about contact with animals and foods consumed during the days before becoming ill. 64 percent of ill persons reported contact with frogs in the week before their illness began. Of ill persons who could recall the type of frog they had contact with, 84 percent identified African dwarf frogs. The median time from acquiring a frog and illness onset was 15 days, with a range of 7 to 240 days. Findings of traceback investigations identified a single water frog breeder in California as the source of African dwarf frogs associated with human infections.
This frog breeding facility was 1st identified as the source of African dwarf frogs associated with human infections in 2010.
Information about this investigation in 2009-2010 can be found on the CDC Salmonella page <http://www.cdc.gov/salmonella/outbreaks.html>.
Environmental testing also links the infection to a single African dwarf frog breeding facility in California. Because of the evidence of an ongoing problem, local health department officials visited the frog breeder in late March 2011 and collected environmental samples. These samples were tested in CDC laboratories and were found to be positive for salmonellae; additional testing is ongoing to determine if this strain is the outbreak strain.
General Advice About How to Care for Water Frogs
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Wash hands thoroughly with soap and water right after handling anything, including water, that comes in contact with water frogs or from inside their habitat (e.g., aquarium or fish tank). Since the water from inside their habitat can carry the same germs as the water frogs themselves, following proper handwashing practices is very important. Adults should assist young children with hand washing.
Kitchen sinks should not be used to empty or wash the frog's habitat (e.g., aquarium or fish tank). If possible, empty and wash the habitat outside of the home, using disposable gloves. If bathtubs are used for cleaning the frog's habitat, they should be cleaned thoroughly and disinfected with bleach. Young children should not be allowed to clean the frog's habitat (e.g., aquarium or fish tank).
Be aware that salmonellosis can be caused not only by water frogs, but by other amphibians and reptiles, such as turtles. More information about how to enjoy pets safely can be found on the CDC Healthy Pets Healthy People Website <http://www.cdc.gov/healthypets/>.
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Communicated by:
ProMED-mail
<promed@promedmail.org>
[Although the link between human salmonellosis and pet turtles is commonly known, this posting is a reminder that amphibians such as frogs as well as other reptiles, such as snakes, can also be carriers of the disease.
The most likely source of transmission in this outbreak was contact with water from the frogs' aquariums. Because African dwarf frogs are small and tend to rest at the bottom of aquariums where children have difficulty reaching them, direct handling as the source of transmission is less likely. Amphibians are known carriers of Salmonella (1). African dwarf frogs are purely aquatic animals, typically less than 2 inches long from nose to tail stub, and sold as ornamental aquarium pets. In one study, 21 percent of aquarium frogs tested from 16 retailers were positive for Salmonella (1).
Furthermore, Salmonella bacteria shed from frogs are readily recoverable from aquarium water where frogs are housed (1). Salmonella can survive for an extended period in the environment, and indirect transmission through environmental contamination might occur (2).
A picture of the African dwarf frog can be found at:
<http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5851a1.htm#fig2>.
References
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1. Bartlett KH, Trust TJ, Lior H: Small pet aquarium frogs as a source of Salmonella. Appl Environ Microbiol 1977;33: 1026-1029.
2. Mermin J, Hutwagner L, Vugia D, et al: Reptiles, amphibians, and human Salmonella infection: a population-based, case-control study.
Clin Infect Dis 2004;38(Suppl 3): S253-261.
- Mod.LL]
[see also:
2010
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Salmonellosis, serotype Typhimurium - USA: frogs, 2009 20100108.0090
2009
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Salmonellosis, serotype Typhimurium - USA (13): frogs 20091208.4178
2008
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Salmonellosis, human, pet turtles - USA (05) 20081023.3356 Salmonellosis, human, pet turtles - USA 20080125.0317
2007
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Salmonellosis, human, pet turtles - USA (multistate): 2006-2007
20070709.2186
Salmonellosis, human, fatal, pet turtles - USA (FL): FDA
20070409.1182
2005
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Salmonellosis, human, pet turtles, 2004 - USA (WI, WY) 20050311.0715] .................................................ll/ejp/jw/ll
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