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Epidemiologists and pediatricians have long recognized tiny pet turtles as a source of salmonella outbreaks among children. Now, a small mammal — the hedgehog — has assumed the role of zoonotic vector of this bacterial enteric disease.
In July 2020, PulseNet (the U.S. molecular subtyping network for enteric disease surveillance) detected a cluster of 17 Salmonella Typhimurium infections with closely related isolates according to whole-genome sequencing; these were also related to isolates from previous S. Typhimurium outbreaks attributed to spread from pet hedgehogs. Further investigation revealed 49 cases in 25 states during April–November 2020, 29% of which occurred in children younger than 5. Of 36 families interviewed, 83% reported conta…