On September 6, 2012 the CDC announced an outbreak of Salmonella Typhimurium infections linked to hedgehogs purchased from multiple breeders. Twenty six outbreak associated cases were identified. Eight people were hospitalized. One death was reported in a Washington state resident. Forty-five percent of ill persons were children 10 years of age or younger. Illness onsets ranged between December 26, 2011 and April 8, 2013.

In interview, ill persons answered questions about contact with animals and foods consumed during the week before becoming ill. Fourteen of 15 ill persons interviewed reported contact with hedgehogs or their environments before becoming ill. Some ill persons specifically mentioned contact with African Pygmy hedgehogs.