Outbreak of Salmonella enterica serotype Infantis infection in humans linked to dry dog food in the United States and Canada, 2012

Abstract

CASE DESCRIPTION--In April 2012, Salmonella enterica serotype Infantis was detected in an unopened bag of dry dog food collected during routine retail surveillance. PulseNet, a national bacterial subtyping network, identified humans with Salmonella Infantis infection with the same genetic fingerprint as the dog food sample. CLINICAL FINDINGS--An outbreak investigation identified 53 ill humans infected with the outbreak strain during January 1 to July 5, 2012, in 21 states and 2 provinces in Canada; 20 (38%) were children ≤ 2 years old, and 12 of 37 (32%) were hospitalized. Of 21 ill people who remembered the dog food brand, 12 (57%) reported a brand produced at a plant in Gaston, SC. Traceback investigations also identified that plant. The outbreak strain was isolated from bags of dry dog food and fecal specimens obtained from dogs that lived with ill people and that ate the implicated dry dog food. TREATMENT AND OUTCOME--The plant was closed temporarily for cleaning and disinfection. Sixteen brands involving > 27,000 metric tons (> 30,000 tons) of dry dog and cat food were recalled. Thirty-one ill dogs linked to recalled products were reported through the FDA consumer complaint system. CLINICAL RELEVANCE-- A one-health collaborative effort on epidemiological, laboratory, and traceback investigations linked dry dog foods produced at a plant to illnesses in dogs and humans. More efforts are needed to increase awareness among pet owners, health-care professionals, and the pet food industry on the risk of illness in pets and their owners associated with dry pet foods and treats.

Multilaboratory Survey To Evaluate Salmonella Prevalence in Diarrheic and Nondiarrheic Dogs and Cats in the United States between 2012 and 2014

“…The S . Infantis isolate in our study was isolated in the outbreak investigation reported by Imanishi et al in 2014 (7). …”

“…As mentioned before, in some cases the same product caused illness in humans and pets (7, 57). One of the most frequently reported risk factors for developing salmonellosis is the feeding of raw food to dogs (11, 58–60).…”

Investigation ofListeria,Salmonella, and ToxigenicEscherichia coliin Various Pet Foods

“…From 2006 to 2008, an outbreak of Salmonella Schwarzengrund, which included 79 illnesses over 21 states, resulted in the recall of 105 brands of dry pet food and the permanent closure of the manufacturing plant (Behravesh et al, 2010). In 2012, there was an outbreak of human Salmonella enterica serotype Infantis infections related to exposure to dry dog food (CDC, 2012;Imanishi et al, 2014). With the dog and cat population in the United States estimated at 65 million and 78 million animals, respectively, according to the 2002 American Pet Product Manufacturers Association National Pet Survey (Finley et al, 2006), a significant human population is exposed to pet food and treats.…”

Assessment of Listeria monocytogenes in pet food

“…In addition, when feeding a pet wet food from cans and pouches, immediately cover and refrigerate any of the food that is left in the container and any wet food that the pet did not eat during the meal should be thrown away. Dry pet food (in its original bag) should be stored in a clean plastic container with a lid, and the top of the bag should be folded or closed [7].…”