By Freddie Mooche

(AXcess News) Washington - A recent study revealed that pet owners, especially children, were vulnerable to Salmonella infection from dry pet food contamination of their dishes.

Just a few years ago a major recall of dry pet foods occurred nationwide due to contamination for toxic poisons that killed thousands of dogs and cats nationwide.  Now, a new study shows that humans are vulnerable to Salmonella infection from coming in contact with dry pet food dishes.

The study, conducted between 2006 and 2008 showed 79 American children became infected with Salmonella when coming in contact with their pet's food dish.  About of half of those children where 2 years old or younger.

Researchers said household pets don't display the same symptoms as humans and can shed the bacteria when they go.

Since the study caught the media's attention dog and cat food brands Iams and Eukanuba where recalled last week for possible Salmonella infection.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention say that contact with pets and contact with the pet's environment - their bed and where they eat and sleep, for example - can result in human infections.

Salmonella is a food-borne illness which young infants and the elderly are especially vulnerable of infection.  The CDC cautions families over where they feed their family pets, saying floors around areas where pet food dishes are should be cleaned regularly to avoid possible Salmonella infection.