Twenty-one people in New Hampshire have fallen sick due to Salmonella, and health officials are pointing to Joey’s Jerky chicken jerky treats.
Yes, the treats are made for dogs, but the infection can hit humans who touch the treats.
“While uncommon, pet food and treats can sometimes be contaminated with Salmonella, which is why it is so important for pet owners to wash their hands after handling pet food and treats,” said Dr. José Montero, director of public health at DHHS.
The 21 people in Merrimack and Hillsborough counties have been identified with the same strain of the illness. The DHHS Bureau of Infectious Disease Control discovered the link after interviewing people who were sick. Joey’s Jerky is produced in New Hampshire and the manufacturer, Kritter’s Kitchen Kreations, LLC, has voluntarily recalled all of the product.
However, confirmation through laboratory testing of the jerky is still pending at the New Hampshire Public Health Labs.
Joey’s Jerky was sold at the following six stores: America’s Pet in Hudson, Blue Seal in Bow, K9 Kaos in Dover, Osborne’s Agway in Concord, Sandy’s Pet Food Center in Concord, and The Yellow Dogs Barn in Barrington.
New Hampshire health officials are advising people who may have the treats in their homes to throw them away.
According to the FDA, “healthy people infected with Salmonella should monitor themselves for some or all of the following symptoms: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramping and fever. Rarely, Salmonella can result in more serious ailments, including arterial infections, endocarditis, arthritis, muscle pain, eye irritation, and urinary tract symptoms. Consumers exhibiting these signs after having contact with this product should contact their healthcare providers.”
For more information, contact Kritter’s Kitchen Kreations at (603) 494-5954, email joeysjerky@comcast.net, or contact the DHHS Bureau of Infectious Disease Control at 603-271-4496 and www.dhhs.nh.gov.
