Salmonella Water Frogs: Danger!

A new threat to American children, as over 200 kids have been poisoned by a species of African dwarf water frog that are sometimes popular as pets.

The water frogs are carrying salmonella, and getting kids into major health troubles, causing them to need medical treatment. Infections were detected in young people with a median age of infection is 5. More than 70 percent of patients have been younger than 10, officials said, and about a third of those who became ill were hospitalized. No deaths have been reported as of yet.

Salmonella Water Frogs
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At least 217 people, mostly young children, have been sickened by salmonella spread by pet African dwarf water frogs, government health officials said. A single California breeder of the frogs has been identified as the source of infections caused by Salmonella Typhimurium confirmed in 41 states since April 2009, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported Thursday. Investigators visited the breeder in March and confirmed the presence of salmonella in the environment; tests are continuing to see if it matches the outbreak strain.

Salmonella Water Frogs