Reptiles & Salmonella

Lizards and other reptiles are often kept as pets in the United States.

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention estimate that three percent of households keep reptiles as pets in the United States. While reptiles can be good pets for many families because they are relatively quiet, keeping reptiles may cause health problems. Reptiles carry bacteria called Salmonella which can cause serious infections in humans. Salmonella infections can be prevented with certain precautions.

Salmonella

Salmonella is bacteria or a group of bacteria that can cause an infection in humans. The Minnesota Herpetological Society reports that the most common symptom of Salmonella infection is mild diarrhea. Some people also experience stomach cramps and fever. Salmonella is most commonly transmitted from eating undercooked foods however people can come in contact with Salmonella when handling infected reptiles. People with weak immune systems like those with HIV and AIDS or who are undergoing chemotherapy are more likely to develop severe infections. Young children and the elderly are also at risk. For those at-risk populations, Salmonella infections may be fatal, according to the CDC.

Reptiles as Carriers

Reptiles are common carriers of Salmonella because many naturally carry the bacteria in their abdomen, according to the Minnesota Herpetological Society. Salmonella bacteria is a natural part of a reptile's digestive system. The fecal matter of many reptiles can carry large amounts of the Salmonella bacteria. According to the Center for Disease Control, there is no clear way to determine which reptiles carry Salmonella and which do not.

Keeping Reptiles as Pets

Households with reptiles as pets most commonly keeps animals like turtles, iguanas, snakes, geckos, toads and chameleons. Salmonella does not make reptiles sick but can affect humans who come in contact with the bacteria. Therefore, people who wish to keep reptiles as pets should understand the risks and be prepared to take the necessary precautions. The CDC caution households with elderly people and children under 5 years old against keeping reptiles in the home.

CDC Tips for Prevention

For those who wish to keep reptiles as pets, the CDC has outlined a variety of guidelines to help prevent people from catching Salmonella from their pets: Be sure to wash hands frequently and after handling the reptiles or their fecal matter. Launder clothing that may have been touched by reptiles. Keep reptiles in their cages because allowing them to roam the house freely may spread the bacteria. Do not allow reptiles into the kitchen or on surfaces used for food preparation. Clean all surfaces that came in contact with a reptile frequently, including their habitats.

Interesting Facts

In 1975, it became illegal to sell turtles whose shells measure less than four inches in diameter in the United States, according to the CDC. One of the reasons behind this ban was that small children often thought small turtles were toys and put them in their mouths. This caused many students to catch Salmonella. In some places they are still sold, despite the ban.

References

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Reptiles and Salmonella
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Diseases from Reptiles
• Minnesota Herpetological Society: Reptiles and Salmonella