pjarmit Loc: UK, now in Texas

CDC: Pet Hedgehogs May Endanger Your Health
March 5, 2013
By Susan Jones



Hedgehogs are considered "exotic" pets. They are nocturnal, defend themselves with sharp quills, and they do bite. (AP Photo)

(CNSNews.com) - Beware the little hedgehog, he's likely to be prickly. So touch him at your peril: He just might make you sickly.

The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says in the past year -- from December 2011 to December 2012 -- at least 20 people have been sickened with human salmonella typhimurium infections linked to hedgehogs purchased from multiple breeders in different states.

Four people required hospital treatment, and one person died. Almost half of the victims are children age 10 or younger.

"It is very important to wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water right after touching hedgehogs or anything in the area where they live and roam," the CDC says on its website. "Adults should supervise hand washing for young children."

CDC counts one person infected in Alabama, Illinois, Indiana, and Oregon; three infected people each in Michigan, Minnesota, and Ohio; and seven in Washington State.

Illnesses that occurred after January 4, 2013 might not be reported yet due to the time it takes between when a person becomes ill and when the illness is reported.

Salmonella germs are shed in animal droppings and can easily contaminate their bodies and anything in areas where these animals live and roam.

Most persons infected with Salmonella bacteria develop diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps 12 to 72 hours after infection. The illness usually lasts 4 to 7 days, and most persons recover without treatment. However, older adults, infants, and those with impaired immune systems are more likely to develop severe illness from Salmonella infection.

Hedgehogs are considered "exotic" pets. They are nocturnal, defend themselves with sharp quills, and they do bite.

donrent Loc: Punta Gorda , Fl

"yawn"

Wabbit Loc: Arizona Desert

Hey Doc ..... this little fella wouldn't hurt a fly would he?

VincentVG Loc: Venice (Currently)

Hedgehogs - why don't they just share the hedge?

Taktale Loc: Warrington, England

Aaaahhh, now I understand, I thought it was a group of investment savvy wild pigs !!

RoysJungle Loc: Ohio

Sounds like the CDC got in with the Humane Society of America in not wanting anyone to own pets because they can all bite and spread disease. People just haven't got the common sense that you wash your hands thoroughly after handling any animal and before eating and understand your pet you can prevent getting bit and getting a disease such as Salmonella from them. Also, almost every animal people own as pets are exotic and not native to the area they have them as pets in.

ghost rider

What about prairie dogs?

singleviking Loc: Lake Sebu Eco Park, Philippines

And those infected by the UHH mascot typically open charge accounts at B&H and start collecting photo equipment.
Typical signs of infection are:
Drained checking accounts
Numerous bills from AMAZON.com
Huge gadget bags filled with lenses, filters and spare camera body
Stains from printer ink on finger tips
Strange gate from having 2 cameras and huge lenses hung from neck
Strange fixation with early rising and logging onto photo websites like UHH
Coffee stains on monitor and keyboard from laughter.

As Stephen Hawking says, "There's no such thing as perfection" but UHH infected individuals keep trying for that "perfect shot".

Hal81 Loc: Bucks County, Pa.

I knew all along us Hedgehods were toxic.