CDC warns against kissing pet hedgehogs, due to salmonella risk

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is reminding Americans that just because you can kiss a hedgehog doesn't mean you should.

Since October, 11 people in the U.S. have contracted Salmonella typhimurium, a rare strain of salmonella bacteria, the CDC said. One person was hospitalized, but no deaths have been reported. Out of the group, 10 were in close contact with a hedgehog before getting sick. The CDC said they lived across eight different states, and it's unclear if the hedgehogs were all bought from the same supplier, The Guardian reports.

Hedgehog owners are being urged to not get too close to their pets, since kissing and snuggling can "spread salmonella germs to your face and mouth and make you sick," and the CDC also highly recommends keeping hedgehogs from roaming "freely in areas where food is prepared or stored." Hedgehogs are adorable and becoming more popular as pets, but are illegal to own in several states and major cities, including California and New York City, because of the concern about spreading salmonella.

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