How to prevent salmonella

Contact with hedgehogs can be a source of human Salmonella infections. Hedgehogs can be carrying Salmonella bacteria but appear healthy and clean and show no signs of illness. Salmonella bacteria are shed in their droppings and can easily contaminate their bodies and anything in the area where hedgehogs live and roam. Therefore, you should always follow these recommendations for protecting yourself and others, especially children, from contact with Salmonella bacteria that hedgehogs may carry:

Wash your hands:

Wash your hands for at least 20 seconds with water and soap right after touching hedgehogs or anything in the area where they live and roam. This includes after handling pet food and treats.
Thorough hand washing is especially important before preparing, serving or eating food, drinks or preparing baby bottles. Also, always wash hands right after handling or cleaning up after your pets.
If soap and water are not readily available, use hand sanitizer until you are able to wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water.
Adults should supervise young children when washing hands. It is STRONGLY SUGGESTED THAT CHILDREN UNDER THE AGE OF 5 DO NOT HANDLE HEDGEHOGS OR ARE CLOSELY SUPERVISED AT ALL TIMES!
Pet owners should make sure their friends and family wash their hands after touching their pet hedgehogs.

Practice safe handling of hedgehogs:

Do not let hedgehogs in areas where food or drink is prepared, served, or stored, such as kitchens, or outdoor patios.
Do not snuggle or kiss hedgehogs, touch your mouth, or eat or drink around hedgehogs.
Some hedgehogs may get ill from a Salmonella infection and can have diarrhea.
If your hedgehog has diarrhea, see your pet’s veterinarian.

Clean up properly when handling hedgehogs:

To prevent cross-contamination, do not bathe hedgehogs in the kitchen sink or in bathroom sinks or bathtubs. Hedgehogs should be bathed in a small plastic tub or bin that is dedicated for hedgehog use only.
Clean any equipment or materials associated with caring for hedgehogs outside the house, such as cages or feed or water containers, or items used for bathing.

Be careful with children and hedgehogs:

Young children (UNDER THE AGE OF 5) are especially at risk for illness because their immune systems are still developing and because they are more likely than others to put their fingers or other items into their mouths.
Children younger than 5 years of age should not be allowed to touch or eat pet food, treats, or supplements and should be kept away from hedgehog feeding areas to prevent illness and injury.

Persons who think they might have become ill from contact with hedgehogs should talk with their health care providers:

Most persons infected with Salmonella bacteria develop diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps 12 to 72 hours after infection. In some persons, the diarrhea may be so severe that the patient needs to be hospitalized.

What is Salmonella? Salmonella is a bacteria that infects humans but can be naturally harbored on pet reptiles and pocket pets without causing the animal any harm. People infected with Salmonella may develop diarrhea, abdominal cramping and a fever in as short as 12 hours after coming in contact with an infected hedgehog.

Can I Prevent Myself From Getting Infected?The CDC (Center for Disease Control) has recommendations for preventing Salmonella infections from pocket pets.

Washing hands with soap and water after handling rodents or their cages and bedding is the most important thing you can do to reduce the risk of Salmonella transmission.
Do not eat food or smoke while handling your pet.
Do not handle pets in food preparation areas.
Do not kiss your pet or hold it close to your mouth.
It is strongly suggested that children under the age of 5 do not handle hedgehogs unless they can be supervised AT ALL TIMES!!! This is not only for the safety and well being for the hedgehog, but because children under 5 have a higher risk of contracting salmonella because their immune systems are still developing.*