People are getting sick from their pets.
For the first time, the bacterial outbreak has sickened someone in Georgia.
Fourteen Floridians have already been sickened since mid-September.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the campylobacter bacteria outbreak has sickened 67 humans across the country.
Nearly all of those people were around a puppy from the chain Petland shortly before they got sick.
The bacteria is resistant to the antibiotics commonly recommended as the first line of defense.
It’s worrisome news for greyhound owner Vivian Golden.
“I certainly want to be cautious and I want him to be cautious too,” said Golden.
Symptoms include fever, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.
The CDC warns not let to let your pets lick your mouth and face.
The CDC also recommends washing your hands after touching your dog, handling its food and cleaning up after it.
“We always have bags to pick it up and, of course, being sure that I dispose of it properly. And washing my hands well when I get home,” said Golden.
Golden said she’s not going to let this outbreak stop her from taking her greyhound Russo to the dog park.
“You have to have certain shots in order to be able to even get in. So I feel as though we’re pretty well protected here. And, you know, he still has to have a life,” said Golden.
While cats can also carry the illness, the CDC said the people sickened in this outbreak contracted it from puppies.
Cox Media Group
