Background on Salmonella and Reptiles
Salmonella infections can come from a number of sources. The most common source of Salmonella infection is improperly handled food. Salmonella bacteria can be harbored in the gastrointestinal tracts of many species of animal, including poultry, cattle, and pigs, presenting a risk of contamination of meat and eggs during processing. Salmonella can also be carried by pets (including cats and dogs), but especially reptiles and amphibians. As high as 90% of reptiles are natural carriers of Salmonella bacteria, harboring strains specific to reptiles without any symptoms of disease in the reptile. While it is true that many pets can carry Salmonella, the problem with reptiles (and apparently amphibians) is that they carry Salmonella with such high frequency. It is prudent to assume that all reptiles and amphibians can be a potential source of Salmonella.
The problem of reptile associated Salmonellosis is not a new one, especially in children. A rash Salmonella infections that coincided with a surge in popularity of pet turtles prompted the Food and Drug Administration to ban the distribution of turtles smaller than four inches in length in 1975 in the United States. This seemed to be successful in reducing the incidence of reptile-associated Salmonellosis quite dramatically, but the incidence has increased again in recent years, probably as a result of the increased popularity and availability of a variety of reptiles and amphibians as pets.
It is important to note that Salmonella can be transmitted by direct contact (e.g. handling a reptile) or indirectly (e.g. touching surfaces contaminated with reptile feces, reptile equipment washed in the kitchen leading to contamination of food preparation areas).
Salmonella Infections in People
Salmonella predominantly causes gastroenteritis in humans (nausea, cramps, diarrhea), which is usually not serious in healthy adults. Children, the elderly, and immunocompromised people are susceptible to more serious infections including complications such as meningitis.
Prevention
As with any risk from a pet (exotic or otherwise) education is the key to prevention. Some important points on prevention of reptile and amphibian associated Salmonellosis:
* All reptile and amphibian owners should be aware of the potential for Salmonella transmission from their pets. It is the responsibility of the seller (e.g. pet store) as well as health care providers and veterinarians to inform owners of reptiles or amphibians of the risks posed from Salmonella, and its prevention.
* Reptiles or amphibians should not be kept in homes with children younger than 5, or with anyone who is immunocompromised for any reason.
* Children under 5 and immunocompromised people should avoid contact (direct or indirect) with reptiles or amphibians.
* Hands should be thoroughly washed with soap and water each time a reptile or amphibian (or it's equipment) is handled.
* Reptiles or amphibians should not be allowed free roam of living areas or in the kitchen.
* Reptile and amphibian cages and equipment should not be cleaned in the kitchen. Sinks or tubs used for cleaning equipment or bathing reptiles should be disinfected with a bleach solution afterwards.
* Day care centers, preschools, etc. should not house reptiles or amphibians
Several reptiles, including those kept as pets(such as iguanas and turtles), are common carriers of salmonella. There is evidence that suggests that it may be more common in imported animals than those who are domestically bred. Iguanas seem to be one of the more common reptiles from which people contract the disease. This is in part due to the iguana’s popularity in the pet industry. Despite the iguana’s role in transmitting the disease, the iguana rarely shows any signs that it carries the bacteria. Humans that live with iguanas can contract the disease by touching the animals directly, by sustaining scratches or bites from the animal, or by cleaning the animal’s enclosure and coming in direct contact with the animal’s feces. Another source of transmission is touching household surfaces in which the iguana has come into contact. One of the most common sites of transmission is the bathtub. Many iguana owners place the lizard in the bathtub for indoor swimming. If the iguana is a salmonella carrier and the owner decides to take a bath after the iguana has been swimming, the owner can contract salmonella.
What are the symptoms of salmonella? The main symptom is diarrhea. Abdominal cramps, vomiting, fever, and chills often are in accompaniment. There can be blood in the stool. If the diarrhea continues, medical attention should be sought. If the salmonella bacterium spreads from the digestive tract to the bloodstream
, it can settle in the liver, heart, or even the joints. In these organs it can cause inflammation or abscess. In a severe attack, the excessive loss of body fluids resulting from severe bouts of diarrhea can cause death. Treatment for the disease usually includes antibiotics.
Who is at risk? Everyone is at risk, but children, the elderly and the chronically ill are targeted most commonly, due to their low resistance to infection. Prevention of the disease is the key. If you have a reptile, it is extremely important to take the necessary precautions. Wash your hands with an antibacterial soap after each and every time handling the reptile. If the reptile is on any household surfaces, sanitize them immediately after the reptile is back in the enclosure. You should never let young children clean the enclosure. Young children are famous for putting their fingers in their mouth, thus contracting the bacteria. In fact this has happened so often that many states have passed legislature forbidding the sale of any turtle whose shell is smaller than four inches, because children have been known to put the turtles in their mouths. It is also a good idea to disinfect the animal’s cage, including branches, basking rocks, and food dishes, as often as possible. If you are bitten or scratched by the animals you should clean the wound thoroughly and treat with an antibiotic ointment. If you let the lizard swim in the bathtub, sanitize it immediately after the swim and definitely before taking a bath. Make sure that you store food in places where the iguana or the iguana’s feces can’t come in contact with it. One common mistake that many people make is letting
their iguana have free roam of the house. Unsupervised freedom can spell trouble for the iguana and also increase the chances of salmonella transmission.
It is often recommended that you should avoid purchasing a reptile if you have a child under the age of two. Children are prime candidates for infection. You do not need to live in constant fear of salmonella if you share your home with a reptile. prevention, caution, and common sense are the tools you will need to combat the bacteria.
http://www.wonderfulreptiles.com/Salmonella.html
http://www.reptileallsorts.com/Salmonella.html
A good bottle of hand lotion helps.
