By REUTERS
Published: November 6, 2008
Dry pet food contaminated by salmonella sickened at least 79 people, including many children, and could still be dangerous, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported. No one is known to have died in the outbreak of a rare strain of salmonella, known as Salmonella enterica serotype Schwarzengrund, the C.D.C. said. But people can become ill, with bloody diarrhea, if they handle the pet food, especially the very young and very old. No pets have been reported sickened. Even though the affected brands have been recalled and the factory in Pennsylvania closed, pet owners could still have the cat and dog kibble in their homes. The brands, made by Mars Petcare U.S., include Special Kitty, Pedigree and Member’s Mark, among others. The full list of brands affected is available on petcare.mars.com.