CDC: Cats added to list of salmonella risk factors

Atlanta - Although salmonella has traditionally been associatedwith chicken, cats and other animals can shed Salmonella in their feces,and then spread the bacterial infection to humans, reports the Centers forDisease Control and Prevention.

The majority of the estimated 1.4 million cases of Salmonella infectionin the U.S. are transmitted through food, but CDC researchers warn thatthe disease can also be spread by exposure to contaminated water, reptiles,farm animals and pets.

The latest salmonella research findings indicate that three outbreaksof infection with multidrug-resistant Salmonella typhimurium had directconnection to facilities housing animals. The findings were reported ina recent issue of the agency's "Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report."

Despite the findings, researchers remain unsure of the means of transmisison.

"It is unknown how the human patients in these outbreaks becameinfected with Salmonella," CDC researchers report. Speculations arethat people may inadvertently have eaten food contaminated with animal fecesbecause of "suboptimal sanitation and hygienic practices" in thefacilities.

Researchers stress the importance of sanitation to minimize risk of futureoutbreaks, "especially when handling pet feces."