"Hamsters Spread Salmonella" scare

[Emma]

Hi folks



It's been posted on several different websites and forums over the past day or so about this scare story in the US. I've found some links which I'll post now and reserve comment until I've digested them fully!



Lay articles:

http://www.medpagetoday.com/tbindex.cfm ... topicid=79 (http://www.medpagetoday.com/tbindex.cfm?tbid=997&topicid=79)

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2005/05/ ... rchStories (http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2005/05/06/earlyshow/health/health_news/main693347.shtml?CMP=ILC-SearchStories)

http://www.newsday.com/news/nationworld ... 5761.story (http://www.newsday.com/news/nationworld/wire/sns-ap-sick-from-pets,0,1445761.story)



CDC paper it's all based on:

http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5417a3.htm

[afishcalledwanda]

Emma the last link is quite useful. The others have evolved into somewhat of a fish story.



I am working on doing something about the large scale breeders here. The news articles have blown this into a small pet epidemic instead of the real story about the filthy conditions the pets came from that caused them to carry the disease in the first place.



here are some more links>>



http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u ... nella_wa_1 (http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/krwashbureau/20050505/ts_krwashbureau/_bc_med_pocketpets_salmonella_wa_1)







http://www.cdc.gov/od/oc/media/pressrel/fs050428.htm





http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/N05345344.htm





I am trying to gather information and hopefully put a stop to the large scale breeding. YOu can see my postings on PWS and the thread titled I just heard something disturbing in the syrian and dwarf forums.



I can use all the help I can get if you are interested. I will be using MSN messenger if you are interested and I'll give you my msn name once you agree to help.



This is a PRIME opportunity to put a stop to the abuse small animals undergo from birth to sale and then death once it's bought. It really is an issue of animal rights laws and I REALLY DON'T WANT PETA INVOLVED as they are only going to make a mess of it all. They're TOO radical.



Once PETA is involved the world is only going to think hamster 'people' are nuts and then the whole thing will wind up being ignored. Every time PETA demonstrations make the news, they are mocked by the news, so, you know where I'm going with this.



Anyway, have a look on PWS, then tell me what you think.

[babyboos]

OK I'll try to be concise:



Our main culprits are colds & flu which can transmit both ways - so don't breathe on your hamster when you are sniffly.



Hamsters can be asymptomatic carriers for LCM (lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus). In man this causes a flu-like illness and can PROBABLY transmit. It can however have more serious consequences for people with reduced immune capacity and for the unborn foetus - pregnant women and immunocompromised individuals should NOT handle rodents/other animals anyway.



Tyzzers disease is found in young stressed hamsters, eg after a move. Symptoms = diarrhoea, death within a few hours OR prolonge wasting. this is NOT wet-tail. Can cause stomach upset in humans, not serious - avoid close contact and wash hands after handling.



Salmonella can be found in hamsters causing acute disease/diarrhoea OR a gradual loss of condition. Can cause painful dysentery in humans but transmission can be avoided with good hygiene as above. Avoid letting children handle affected animals.



Sarcoptic mange (aka Scabies) occurs if bad hygiene observed and can pass to humans but is treatable in both species and rare.



To summarise:

always wash your hands after handling hamsters and be aware of changes in behaviour or condition. If in doubt - ring your vet for advice. The risk overall to us is LOW, compared to say cats!, pregant or immunocompromised people SHOULD be aware of risks from all animals if their GP is doing their job. Most hamsters will never have any of the above anyway.



Hamster problems we can't catch - phew!

dwarf tapeworms/pinworms - hamsters get them but we can't

mites, wet-tail .........but still observe good hygiene of course.



That's pretty comprehensive - hope it is of help.

Any queries please ask.



They are pretty safe really!