An outbreak of an antibiotic-resistant bacterium is linked to Petland puppies, according to the Center for Disease Control.

Bryce Koon, Viking Fusion Reporter

MT. BERRY, Ga. – Recent reports from the Center for Disease Control (CDC) state that an outbreak of Campylobacter, an antibiotic resistant bacterium, is linked to the puppies at Petland.

On Feb. 9, WSB-TV announced that a Gwinnett County teenager was hospitalized due to the bacteria. The teen was an employee at the Mall of Georgia Petland and had recently purchased a dog from the store. According to the CDC, symptoms of a Campylobacter infection include nausea, diarrhea, fever and abdominal cramps.

Many Berry students are deeply concerned about this outbreak, as they love to go and play with the puppies at Petland.

“I would have not gone if I knew of these reports,” junior Trent Griner said. “My girlfriend and I went to see the puppies and even played with the puppies. It does concern me that I could have gotten really sick from it.”

According to WSB-TV, the hospitalized teen in Atlanta was never given a warning, and Griner said there was no mention of a risk or anything to signify that they should be cautious.

“There was nothing that suggested we might be in danger, which is really surprising to me due to the severity of the bacterial virus,” Griner said.

So far, 55 people have contracted the virus and statistics show that 49 of these have had contact with Petland puppies or employees, according to the CDC. The bacteria can be transferred through contact with the dogs’ feces.

When asked about the outbreak, the Petland in Rome declined to comment.