Bacteria linked to pet store puppies sickens 4 in Southern Nevada

Three people in Clark County and one in Nye County have become ill as part of a 13-state outbreak linked to contact with pet store puppies, according to state and local health agencies.

The outbreak has sickened 30 people nationwide and resulted in four hospitalizations.

Symptoms of the illness, which is caused by the Campylobacter bacteria, include often-bloody diarrhea, fever and abdominal cramps, according to a statement from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

“Interviews with ill people and laboratory evidence indicate that contact with puppies, especially those from pet stores, is the source of this outbreak,” the CDC stated.

“Campylobacter bacteria can spread to people through contact with poop of infected animals and contaminated food or water,” the federal agency continued.

Puppies purchased in different locations

The three cases in Clark County involved individuals “who reported coming into contact with puppies and have purchased their pets from different locations, including one from out of state,” said Stephanie Bethel, a spokeswoman for the Southern Nevada Health District.

Nye County also has had a case involving an individual who made a private purchase of a puppy in Las Vegas that did not involve a pet store, said Martha Framsted, a spokeswoman for the Department of Health and Human Services.

Of 24 people interviewed across the country as part of the investigation, 21 — or 88 percent — reported contact with a puppy.

The CDC stated that a single supplier of puppies in common with all the cases had not been identified. However, of the 15 people who reported they’d had contact with a puppy from a pet store, 12 of them — or 80 percent — were linked to Petland, a national pet store chain.

In a news release, Petland noted that five of the 12 people were employees.

“More than one third of the cases have been found in people in 13 states where there are no Petland stores—including Utah, Wyoming, Minnesota, and Maryland,” the news release stated.

Jeff Fausett, the owner of Petland Las Vegas, said, “We have not had any campylobacter incidents in our store. The store has been in business since 1999, and no reported incidents in those 20 years.”

A Petland store in Henderson did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Stay healthy

Symptoms of infection usually start two to five days after exposure and last about a week. The CDC has found that the bacteria found in the outbreak are resistant to the antibiotics typically used to treat severe Campylobacter infections. However, most people recover without antibiotic treatment.

The CDC notes that “puppies and dogs can carry Campylobacter germs that can make people sick, even while appearing healthy and clean.” The CDC recommends always washing hands thoroughly with soap and water after touching a puppy or dog, after handling their food and after cleaning up after them. The agency also advises against letting dogs lick around your mouth and face.

The federal agency recommends that owners, within a few days of getting a new puppy or dog, take it to a veterinarian for a check-up. Signs of illness in a pet include sluggishness, not eating, diarrhea and abnormal breathing.

Contact Mary Hynes at mhynes@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0336. Follow @MaryHynes1 on Twitter.