Who is Affected?
People who purchased hamsters (dwarf and Syrian) in the past 3 months in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and Northern Ontario are asked to be alert to the possibility of illness in their hamsters and family members. Sick hamsters that originated from a Manitoba distributor tested positive for tularemia. Hamsters from this distributor were shipped to pet stores in the affected provinces within the last three months. Chinchillas, guinea pigs, gerbils, and degus were also shipped from the affected distributor, but so far the disease has not been detected in any of these other species.
About Tularemia
Tularemia is an infection caused by a bacteria (Francisella tularensis), and occurs primarily in wild rodents and rabbits (it is commonly called rabbit fever). It is transmissable to humans and most often causes a flu-like illness, although human cases are rare. Infection can result from direct contact with an infected animal or indirectly from the infected animals environment (touching the cage, bedding or toys of an infected animal, handling the animal, being bitten or licked by an infected animal, inhalation of bacteria from the air, or ingesting contaminated food or water). In nature, infection can also occur from bites of insects that carry the bacteria, such as ticks. Tularemia is not transmitted from person to person, however. Signs of tularemia depend somewhat on the route of infection and can include:
- ulcers on the skin or mouth
- swollen, painful lymph nodes (glands)
- fever
- chills
- headache
- diarrhea
- muscle aches
- dry cough
- progressive weakness
- joint pain
- sore throat
- swollen and painful eyes.
Tularemia is treatable with antibiotics.
What to Do If You Have a Hamster and Become
Sick
If anyone in your family becomes ill after recent exposure to a hamster (particularly one who was sick or died), contact your doctor and make sure they are aware of the possibility of exposure to tularemia via a hamster. If your doctor is unaware of this advisory, have them contact the local public health office for advice.
Pet store owners should also monitor their hamsters for signs of illness, and veterinarians should be aware of the possibility of tularemia when dealing with ill hamsters.
As with many other diseases, thorough and frequent hand washing is the best way to prevent infection. Wash your hands every time you handle your hamsters or their cages, toys, and dishes. If you have a sick hamster, wear rubber or latex gloves when handling the animal or its bedding, toys, cage or dishes (remember, you should still wash your hands after removing the gloves). Cages, toys and dishes can be washed in hot soapy water, and the cage disinfected in a 10 percent bleach solution (one part bleach to nine parts water). Bedding should be bagged in plastic before disposal.
More Information
- Health Canada Advisory - full text of the official advisory
- Tularemia - information on the disease and its treatment
- Hamsters as Pets