SALMONELLOSIS (Salmonella spp. ) • Salmonella are gram-negative bacterial rods that are widely distributed in domestic and wild animals. More than 2,600 serovars of Salmonella enterica are recognised which vary in geographic distribution, host specificity and pathogenicity. 1 Serovars are divided into typhoidal and non-typhoidal Salmonella (NTS) serovars. The former are highly host adapted, with humans the exclusive reservoir, while the latter have a broad host range. • The typhoidal serovars , Typhi and Paratyphi (A, B, and C), the causative agents of typhoid and paratyphoid fever respectively, are not zoonotic. • Most human infections with NTS serovars are acquired from contaminated food (estimated at 71%), with direct transmission from animals (including companion animals) estimated to account for only 4% of cases. 2
ACAZAP RECOMMENDATIONS
• Wash hands immediately after direct contact with any animal (especially pet reptiles and amphibians) and following contact with animal food or treats, food bowls, animal bedding and animal faeces.
• Due to the risk of intrauterine infection and abortion, pregnant women should be advised of precautions to take to prevent infection, including avoiding handling of raw diets and pets with diarrhoea. Where possible, disposal of pet faeces and litter tray management should be undertaken by other members of the household. • It is not recommended to screen healthy animals for Salmonella. • In a veterinary clinic or animal facility setting (e.g. kennels,
• Avoid feeding raw meat diets to dogs and cats, or if fed, consider the potential for zoonotic infection through contact with the diet or the faeces of animals which have consumed the diet. • Store pet food separately from food intended for human consumption. • Maintain cats indoors to reduce risk of acquiring infection via predation of wildlife (especially reptiles). • Appropriate cleaning and disinfection of bowls and contact surfaces is recommended. • Animal faeces should be picked up and disposed of immediately.
shelters), isolation of all animals with documented or potentially infectious diarrhoea is recommended.
• Given the known source of Salmonella transmission to humans from reptiles and amphibians, limiting access to these pets for children under five years of age should be considered. Pet dogs and cats should be restricted from interacting with reptiles and amphibians to avoid infection.
IN ANIMALS
AETIOLOGY AND EPIDEMIOLOGY • The most common source of infection for companion animals is ingestion of contaminated raw pet food or treats, including pig ears. There are rare reports of commercial dry pet food contaminated with Salmonella . 3 Animals that
scavenge or predate wildlife, in particular cats, may be infected with wildlife associated strains. • Salmonella can survive for a prolonged period in the environment (weeks to years), multiply rapidly in contaminated food sources and readily survive freezing for several weeks. 4,5
CONTENTS
71 Companion Animal Zoonoses Guidelines
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