USA – Outbreak of Multidrug-Resistant Salmonella Infections Linked to Contact with Pig Ear Dog Treats

At A Glance

• Reported Cases: 93
• States: 27
• Hospitalizations: 20
• Deaths: 0

• Since the last update on July 3, 2019, 48 ill people and three additional Salmonella serotypes have been added to this investigation. Additional Salmonella serotypes include Infantis, London, and Newport.
• A total of 93 people infected with the outbreak strains of Salmonella have been reported from 27 states.
  • Twenty ill people have been hospitalized. No deaths have been reported.
• Epidemiologic evidence indicates that contact with pig ear dog treats is the likely source of this outbreak.
  • In interviews, 63 (90%) of 70 ill people reported contact with a dog before getting sick.
    • Of 49 people with available information, 34 (69%) reported contact with pig ear dog treats or with dogs who were fed pig ear dog treats.

Recall

• On July 3, 2019, Pet Supplies Plus recalledexternal icon bulk pig ears stocked in open bins because they might be contaminated with Salmonella.
• Do not feed recalled pig ears to your dog. Throw them away in a secure container so that your pets and other animals can’t eat them.
• Even if some of the recalled pig ears were fed to your dog and no one got sick, do not continue to feed them to your dog.
  • Wash containers, shelves, and areas that held the recalled pig ear dog treats with hot, soapy water.
• A common supplier of pig ear treats in this outbreak has not been identified. Pet owners can take steps to keep their families healthy while feeding pets.
• This investigation is ongoing, and CDC will provide updates when more information is available.