Multi-state outbreak of drug resistant Campylobacter reported by CDC
CDC and public health officials in several states are investigating a multistate outbreak of multidrug-resistant Campylobacter jejuni infections linked to puppies purchased from pet stores.
30 people infected with the outbreak strain of Campylobacter jejuni have been reported from 13 states.
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4 hospitalizations have been reported. No deaths have been reported.
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Epidemiologic and laboratory evidence indicate that contact with puppies, especially those at pet stores, is the likely source of this outbreak.
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Among 24 people interviewed,
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21 (88%) of the 24 people reported contact with a puppy.
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15 (71%) of these 21 people reported contact with a puppy from a pet store.
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12 (80%) of these 15 people were linked to Petland, a national pet store chain.
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5 (42%) of these 12 people were Petland employees.
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Laboratory evidence indicates that bacteria from ill people in this outbreak are closely related genetically to bacteria from ill people in the 2016–2018 outbreak of multidrug-resistant Campylobacter infections linked to pet store puppies.
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Campylobacter bacteria isolated from clinical samples from ill people in this outbreak are resistant to commonly recommended, first-line antibiotics. For more information, see CDC’s Advice to Clinicians.
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The investigation is ongoing. CDC will provide updates when more information is available.