|
By Elizabeth
Weise, USA
TODAY
Officials
in Oregon
have confirmed the first cast of salmonella in a dog, the first time an
animal has been injured in the national salmonella outbreak that has
sickened over 575 humans.
The animal was fed dog biscuits that are part of the
massive peanut butter and peanut paste recall that is now one of the nation's largest. It's the first instance of an animal
known to have contracted salmonellosis.
The contaminated peanut products were manufactured at
the Blakely, Ga. Plant of the Peanut Corporation of America. A
total of 1,555 products have so far been recalled, including eight types of
pet treats.
The dog lives in Oregon's
Douglas county and had eaten Happy Tails
Multi-Flavor Dog Biscuits, Oregon Health Department officials said.
Laboratory testing confirmed that biscuits were contaminated with the
outbreak strain of salmonella.
"The dog biscuits were on the list of products
recalled several weeks ago," says Emilio DeBess, Oregon state public health veterinarian.
"They contain peanut butter that comes from the same Georgia
plant that has been linked to the human illnesses."
FIND
MORE STORIES IN: Georgia
| Douglas
| Blakely
| Peanut
Corporation of America | Oregon
Health Department
"This is a reminder that people need to check not
only their own food, but their pet food and treats as well. If the products
contain any peanut ingredients, you should check the FDA's website or
contact the manufacturer or the store where they were purchased to see if
they are on the recall list," DeBess says
|
