Salmonella Outbreaks Linked to Pig Ear

A CDC update regarding a multistate outbreak of Salmonella illness linked to contact with pig ear dog treats has been posted at https://www.cdc.gov/salmonella/pet-treats-07-19/index.html.

• CDC and FDA are now advising people not to buy or feed any pig ear dog treats, including any already in homes, to dogs because they could be contaminated with Salmonella.
• Handling these treats could make people sick; eating the treats could make dogs sick.
• Product testing has identified many different strains of Salmonella in pig ears from various brands and suppliers.
• Information collected to date about where ill people bought pig ears has not identified a single supplier, distributor or common brand of pig ear treats.
• Since the last update on July 17, 2019, 34 ill people have been added to this investigation.
• 127 ill people have been reported from 33 states, including 26 people who have been hospitalized.
• No deaths have been reported.
• Do not feed pig ears to your dog. Throw them away in a secure container so that your pets and other animals can’t eat them.
• Always wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water after handling pet food or treats, including pig ears.
• This investigation is ongoing and CDC will provide more information as it becomes available.

About Salmonella:

• Most people infected with Salmonella develop diarrhea, fever, and stomach cramps 12-72 hours after eating contaminated food.
• The illness usually lasts 4 to 7 days, and most people recover without treatment.
• See your healthcare provider if you are concerned about symptoms, such as a high fever (temperature over 102˚F), blood in your poop, diarrhea, or frequent vomiting that prevents keeping liquid down.
• More information on pet food safety can be found at https://www.cdc.gov/healthypets/publications/pet-food-safety.html.
• If you have questions about cases in a particular state, please call that state’s health department.

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U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

CDC works 24/7 protecting America’s health, safety and security. Whether disease start at home or abroad, are curable or preventable, chronic or acute, or from human activity or deliberate attack, CDC responds to America’s most pressing health threats. CDC is headquartered in Atlanta and has experts located throughout the United States and the world.