Which statement about the 2012 Infantis outbreak is true?

Which statement about the 2012 Infantis outbreak is true?

• A. The majority of pets were sick
• B. The majority were healthy
• C. Humans were primarily affected
• D. The outbreak involved only dogs

Answer: (B)

In outbreaks involving animals, many infected animals may not show illness at all; they can carry and shed the organism without feeling sick. For the 2012 Infantis outbreak, the important point is that a large portion of the dogs linked to the event were asymptomatic carriers rather than clinically ill. This means they appeared healthy but could still shed Salmonella Infantis and contribute to environmental contamination and transmission to humans. The investigation found that, while some dogs and some people did become ill, the number of sick pets was not the majority. Humans were affected in some cases, but they were not the sole or primary victims of the outbreak, and the event did not involve only dogs. Therefore, the statement that the majority of pets were healthy best fits what was observed in this outbreak.

In outbreaks involving animals, many infected animals may not show illness at all; they can carry and shed the organism without feeling sick. For the 2012 Infantis outbreak, the important point is that a large portion of the dogs linked to the event were asymptomatic carriers rather than clinically ill. This means they appeared healthy but could still shed Salmonella Infantis and contribute to environmental contamination and transmission to humans. The investigation found that, while some dogs and some people did become ill, the number of sick pets was not the majority. Humans were affected in some cases, but they were not the sole or primary victims of the outbreak, and the event did not involve only dogs. Therefore, the statement that the majority of pets were healthy best fits what was observed in this outbreak.