There’s a new popular pet that could be making people sick. The cute critter to avoid...

They’re adorable and fit in the palm of your hand...

...but hedgehogs could make you seriously sick. These pocket sized prickly mammals have been growing in popularity in the United States – and like many exotic or unusual pets, there is a risk in handling them. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention is reporting a salmonella outbreak linked to pet hedgehogs. It has already sickened 20 people in eight states and most of those people had direct contact with hedgehogs.

If you already have a hedgehog, you’ll need to be extra careful handling it. Wash your hands every time you touch it or anything that it has come in contact with.