Salmonella infections are caused by consumption of contaminated food, person-to-person transmission, waterborne transmission and numerous environmental and animal exposures. Specifically, reptiles and other cold blooded animals (often referred to as “exotic pets”) can act as reservoirs of Salmonella, and cases of infection have been associated with direct or indirect contact with these animals. Approximately 1.4 million human cases of Salmonella infection occur each year in the United States and it has been estimated that 74,000 are a result of exposure to reptiles and amphibians [1]. Regular case reports of reptile-associated salmonellosis in the US are available for the period 1994-2002 [2-4]. Cases of Salmonella infection attributed to direct or indirect contact with reptiles or other exotic pets have been described in a number of European countries, too [5-16] but a more comprehensive overview of the magnitude of this problem in Europe is lacking. In total, 160,649 human cases of salmonellosis were reported in 2006 in the then 25 European Union Member States, Bulgaria, Romania, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway
An estimated 3% of households in the United States own at least one reptile. Reptiles, including turtles, lizards, and snakes, can carry germs that make people sick. Of greatest importance is salmonellosis. An estimated 70,000 people get salmonellosis from contact with reptiles in the United States each year.
Reptile-Associated Salmonellosis --- Selected States, 1998--2002
Good Luck![*]A high proportion of reptiles are symptomatic carriers of Salmonella. Fecal carriage rate can be more than 90 percent.
[*]Attempts to culture reptiles are sometimes not successful because of intermittent shedding. Treatment of reptiles with antibiotics has been unsuccessful and has let to increased antibiotic resistance.
[*]Numerous salmonella cases in humans have now been traced to reptiles. CDC estimates that 3-5 percent of the two to six million human salmonellosis cases each year may be attributed to reptiles.
Zemanski":c3cfe said:I have understood from general discussion that the risk is low but it is still there.
it isn't something to panic about
but there are a lot of things you can do though to reduce the risk - not handling, cleaning out, feeding, etc when pregnant or nursing; using an antibacterial hand gel, keeping all utensils etc very clean and not cleaning them around areas that are used for human food. Most of them are just common sense and very easily accommodated.
I know someone who allows her dragon to walk on the kitchen table where the family eats - that, to me, is just asking for trouble.
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