mom2kaia
10-03-04, 04:58 PM 10-03-04
Don't know if anyone else heard this but I thought it was interesting, especially since I bought my hamster in the last three months. I live in Ontario. I am not worried...yet.
OTTAWA - Some hamster owners in British Columbia, the Prairies and northwestern Ontario are being asked to contact their doctors.
The Public Health Agency of Canada is worried because some animals from a pet distributor in Manitoba have tested positive for Type B tularemia, a bacterial infection that can be transmitted to humans from rodents.
"We believe the risk to human health is low, but if people have sick hamsters and are feeling ill themselves, we want them to advise their health care provider," said Dr. David Butler-Jones, the Chief Public Health Officer of Canada, in a release.
The disease can be transferred to humans but it's usually mild. In rare cases, it can be fatal.
Symptoms of tularemia may include swollen glands, sudden fever, chills, diarrhea, muscle aches, sore throat and swollen and painful eyes. Symptoms usually appear three to five days after exposure to the bacteria but can take as long as 14 days to appear.
The agency said the warning applied to hamster owners if they or their pets have been sick, and if the they bought a dwarf/pigmy or regular hamster in the past three months.
The sick hamsters, along with chinchillas, guinea pigs, and gerbils, were sent to pet stores in British Columbia, the Prairies and northwestern Ontario. There's no indication of illness in the other animals.
Tularemia is usually transmitted by contact with infected animals or their cages or immediate environment. This means:
Being bitten or licked by the animal.
Handling or cleaning the animal, its toys, cage and feeding equipment.
Breathing in air contaminated with the bacteria.
Eating or drinking contaminated food or water.
Source (http://www.cbc.ca/story/canada/national/2004/10/03/hamster_041003.html)
OTTAWA - Some hamster owners in British Columbia, the Prairies and northwestern Ontario are being asked to contact their doctors.
The Public Health Agency of Canada is worried because some animals from a pet distributor in Manitoba have tested positive for Type B tularemia, a bacterial infection that can be transmitted to humans from rodents.
"We believe the risk to human health is low, but if people have sick hamsters and are feeling ill themselves, we want them to advise their health care provider," said Dr. David Butler-Jones, the Chief Public Health Officer of Canada, in a release.
The disease can be transferred to humans but it's usually mild. In rare cases, it can be fatal.
Symptoms of tularemia may include swollen glands, sudden fever, chills, diarrhea, muscle aches, sore throat and swollen and painful eyes. Symptoms usually appear three to five days after exposure to the bacteria but can take as long as 14 days to appear.
The agency said the warning applied to hamster owners if they or their pets have been sick, and if the they bought a dwarf/pigmy or regular hamster in the past three months.
The sick hamsters, along with chinchillas, guinea pigs, and gerbils, were sent to pet stores in British Columbia, the Prairies and northwestern Ontario. There's no indication of illness in the other animals.
Tularemia is usually transmitted by contact with infected animals or their cages or immediate environment. This means:
Being bitten or licked by the animal.
Handling or cleaning the animal, its toys, cage and feeding equipment.
Breathing in air contaminated with the bacteria.
Eating or drinking contaminated food or water.
Source (http://www.cbc.ca/story/canada/national/2004/10/03/hamster_041003.html)