This bug is currently Closed: Unresolved.

SFGate exaggerated giardia risk from stolen puppy

Reported by Mark Follman on Mar 5, 2010

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Bug Type:  Headline Problem

A post in "The Scavenger" blog, which had prominent placement on the home page on March 4, had a headline emphasizing that a stolen puppy infected with giardia could infect humans. The post itself also stated this — but it is unlikely for humans to contract giardia from dogs.

Supporting Information:

The front page headline/subhead stated:

"Puppy Stolen from SPCA, Has Giardia

$500 reward offered for the return of a sick puppy, no questions asked. Disease can be spread to humans."

The blog post stated:

"Cassidy is 3-months old and weighs about 17 pounds. She has giardia, an infection of the small intestines that can be spread to humans."

 

However, according to the animal health care professionals of the CAPC: "Giardia is a common cause of diarrhea in people, but dog Giardia is not generally considered to spread from animals to humans.  While human Giardia may infect dogs and then be passed on to humans, the majority of human cases are of human origin."

Attached Files:

Response

Mark Follman has contacted San Francisco Chronicle | SFGate and received the following response.

Mark Follman has not contacted San Francisco Chronicle | SFGate