Association of Reptilian and Amphibian Veterinarians
Client Education Handout
Salmonella bacteria and reptiles
Most, if not all, reptiles carry Salmonella bacteria in their intestinal tract and intermittently or continuously shed these bacteria in their feces. Salmonella bacteria usually do not cause any illness in reptiles but can cause serious illness in people.
Salmonella bacteria are easily spread from reptiles to humans. Humans may become infected when they place their hands or other objects including food items that have been in contact with reptile feces in their mouths. For example, infants have become infected after drinking bottles of infant formula that became contaminated during preparation, because individuals who prepared the formula had not washed their hands after touching a reptile or because reptiles were allowed to walk on kitchen counters. For Salmonella bacteria to spread from reptiles to humans, the bacteria must be ingested. Therefore, simply touching or holding a reptile will not result in spread of the bacteria unless something contaminated with reptile feces or the reptile itself is placed in the mouth.
Most Salmonella infections in humans are mild, self-limiting illnesses characterized by diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps. However, infection can spread to the bloodstream, bone marrow, or nervous system, leading to severe, and sometimes fatal, illness. Such severe infections are more likely in infants and individuals with a compromised immune system (for instance, bone marrow transplant recipients, people with diabetes mellitus, people infected with HIV, and chemotherapy patients).
Unfortunately, Salmonella bacteria cannot be eliminated from the intestinal tract of reptiles. Administration of antibiotics to eliminate these bacteria has been unsuccessful and may result in emergence of Salmonella bacteria that are resistant to antibiotics. Attempts to raise or identify reptiles that do not carry Salmonella bacteria have also been unsuccessful; therefore, bacterial culture of fecal specimens in an attempt to identify reptiles that are not carrying Salmonella bacteria is not recommended.
Fortunately, the spread of Salmonella bacteria from reptiles to humans can be easily prevented by using the following routine precautions:
> Always wash your hands with hot, soapy water after handling reptiles, reptile cages and equipment, and stool from reptiles.
> Do not allow reptiles to have access to the kitchen, dining room, or any other area in which food is prepared. Also, do not allow reptiles to have access to bathroom sinks and bathtubs or to any area where infants are bathed. Consider keeping your reptiles caged or limiting the parts of the house where reptiles are allowed to roam free. Always wash your hands after coming into contact with any area where reptiles are allowed to roam free.
> Do not eat, drink, or smoke while handling reptiles, reptile cages, or reptile equipment. Do not kiss reptiles or share food or drink with them.
> Do not use the kitchen sink, kitchen counters, bathroom sink, or bathtub to bathe reptiles or to wash reptile cages, dishes, or aquariums. Reptile owners may wish to purchase a plastic basin or tub in which to bathe or swim their reptiles. Waste water and fecal material should be disposed of in the toilet instead of the bathtub or household sink.
> The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that children less than 5 years old avoid contact with reptiles and that households with children less than I year old not own reptiles. The Association of Reptilian and Amphibian Veterinarians encourages reptile owners with young children to discuss steps to minimize risks associated with owning reptiles with their veterinarian and their physician. Children should be supervised when they are handling reptiles to ensure that they do not place their hands or objects that a reptile has contacted in their mouths. Reptiles should not be kept in child care centers.
> Immunocompromised people should avoid contact with reptiles.
> Follow instructions from your reptile's veterinarian concerning proper diet and environment for your reptile. Healthy reptiles living in proper environments are less likely to shed Salmonella bacteria.
Information in this handout is not meant to discourage reptile ownership. With a few exceptions (e.g., infants and immunocompromised individuals), most people have a low risk of acquiring salmonellosis from reptiles, but this risk can be reduced even further by following simple precautions. Reptiles can be safely kept as pets, but reptile owners should be aware of methods for reducing the risk of acquiring Salmonella bacteria from their reptiles. This handout was developed by the Association of Reptilian and Amphibian Veterinarians and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and is intended for informational purposes only; please seek advice from your physician and your reptile's veterinarian if questions or problems occur.