In December 2019 the CDC and public health officials in several states announced an outbreak of multidrug-resistant Campylobacter jejuni infections linked to puppies purchased from pet stores. A total of 56 people infected with the outbreak strain of Campylobacter jejuni reported by 17 states. Illnesses started on dates ranging from January 9, 2019 through January 2, 2021. Nine people were hospitalized. There were no deaths.

Epidemiologic and laboratory evidence indicated that contact with puppies, especially those at pet stores, is the likely source of the outbreak. Many of the cases had contact with puppies or were employees at Petland.

WGS analysis of 26 isolates from ill people predicted antibiotic resistance to tetracycline, ciprofloxacin, nalidixic acid, azithromycin, erythromycin, clindamycin, telithromycin, and gentamicin.

Laboratory evidence indicates the bacteria from ill people in this outbreak are closely related genetically to bacteria from ill people in the 2016-2018 outbreak of Campylobacter infections linked to pet store puppies.

The investigation was closed on April 15, 2021.