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Diseases People Can Get from
Reptiles and/or Amphibians
Caring for
Lizards
Caring for
Snakes
Information from
CDC
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.
This chart, from "Reptile-Associated
Salmonellosis — Selected States, 1996–1998" (http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm4844a1.htm)
shows how the problem has grown in recent years as the popularity of
reptiles as pets has increased.
From
Reptile-Associated Salmonellosis — Selected States, 1998–2002
"Salmonellosis associated with reptiles is
a continuing public health concern. During the 1970s, small pet turtles
were a major source of Salmonella infections in the United States. In
1975, the Food and Drug Administration banned commercial distribution of
small (i.e., <4 in. long) turtles; the majority of states prohibited the
sale of such turtles. These measures prevented an estimated 100,000 cases
of salmonellosis among children each year. However, reptiles remain
popular pets in the United States; during 1991–2001, the estimated number
of households with reptiles doubled from approximately 850,000 to 1.7
million. The increase in pet reptile popularity has been paralleled by an
increase in the number of reptile-related Salmonella serotypes isolated
from humans.
"Reptiles are commonly colonized with Salmonella and shed the organism
intermittently in their feces. Attempts to treat reptiles with antibiotics
to eliminate Salmonella carriage have been unsuccessful and might lead to
increased antibiotic resistance. Salmonella survives well in the
environment and can be isolated for prolonged periods from surfaces
contaminated by reptile feces (8). For this reason, even minimal indirect
contact with reptiles can result in illness.
"Increasing evidence suggests that amphibians also are a source for
salmonellosis. Frogs and toads are frequent carriers of Salmonella and
have been linked by epidemiologic evidence to outbreaks. In a
population-based, case-control study, housing an amphibian was associated
independently with Salmonella infection. Overall, reptile and amphibian
contacts are estimated to account for 74,000 (6%) of the approximately 1.2
million sporadic Salmonella infections that occur each year in the United
States.
"Gaps remain in the public's understanding of amphibian- and
reptile-associated salmonellosis. In one study, fewer than half the
families with salmonellosis and known iguana exposure suspected their
iguanas might have been the cause of illness. Pet-store owners,
health-care providers, and veterinarians should provide information and
prevention messages about salmonellosis to owners and potential purchasers
of reptiles and amphibians. Educational materials are available from the
Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council, telephone 800-553-7387.
"In 1999, the National Association of State Public Health Veterinarians
and the Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists recommended that
state and local agencies adopt regulations to prohibit the sale or gift of
reptiles without written point-of-sale education to consumers about the
risks for and prevention of reptile-associated salmonellosis. In February
2003, CDC polled health departments in all 50 states and New York City
(NYC) to determine whether such regulations existed. Among the 49 health
departments responding, four states (Colorado, Illinois, Kansas, and
Texas) required pet stores to provide information about salmonellosis to
persons purchasing any reptile; five (California, Connecticut, Maryland,
Michigan, and New York) required providing salmonellosis information to
persons purchasing a turtle but not other reptiles. Tennessee prohibited
sale of all turtles. NYC prohibited sale of certain reptiles, including
iguanas, small turtles, and boas, and required posting of information
about reptile-associated salmonellosis where other reptiles were sold.
"Evaluation of the effectiveness of mandated point-of-sale education in
reducing amphibian- and reptile-associated salmonellosis could help guide
future prevention efforts. In the meantime, areas such as NYC have adopted
restrictions on the sale of certain reptiles similar to those for small
turtles."
Recommendations for Preventing Transmission of Salmonella from Reptiles to
Humans
- Pet-store owners, health-care providers, and
veterinarians should provide information to owners and potential
purchasers of reptiles and amphibians about the risks for and prevention
of salmonellosis from these pets.
- Persons at increased risk for infection or serious
complications from salmonellosis (e.g., children aged <5 years and
immunocompromised persons) should avoid contact with reptiles and
amphibians and any items that have been in contact with reptiles and
amphibians.
- Reptiles and amphibians should be kept out of
households that include children aged <5 years or immunocompromised
persons. A family expecting a child should remove any pet reptile or
amphibian from the home before the infant arrives.
- Reptiles and amphibians should not be allowed in
childcare centers.
- Persons always should wash their hands thoroughly
with soap and water after handling reptiles and amphibians or their
cages.
- Reptiles and amphibians should not be allowed to roam
freely throughout a home or living area.
- Pet reptiles and amphibians should be kept out of
kitchens and other food-preparation areas. Kitchen sinks should not be
used to bathe reptiles and amphibians or to wash their dishes, cages, or
aquariums. If bathtubs are used for these purposes, they should be
cleaned thoroughly and disinfected with bleach.
- Reptiles and amphibians in public settings (e.g.,
zoos and exhibits) should be kept from direct or indirect contact with
patrons except in designated animal-contact areas equipped with adequate
hand-washing facilities. Food and drink should not be allowed in animal
contact areas.
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