Reptiles and Salmonella
Reptiles
and Salmonella
Abstract –
Reptiles are known to have
Salmonella bacteria in their digestive tract, which can cause
salmonellosis in humans. However, birds and mammals, including humans
also frequently have these bacteria present. Salmonella is most
frequently contracted when people eat improperly prepared foods. Only
3-5% of all cases of Salmonella poisoning are linked to reptiles. Of
these, over 95% are linked to green iguanas and red-eared slider turtles
that are kept as pets. Contact with other species of reptiles rarely
leads to salmonellosis. The risk of contracting salmonellosis from a
reptile is minimal and virtually eliminated when a few simple hygiene
practices are put in place: people working with reptiles should wash their
hands with soap and water after contact with the animals and maintain a
clean environment for the reptiles.
The fact that reptiles can carry Salmonella is well known and well documented. This fact cannot be disputed; however, the fact that chicken, fish, eggs and meat regularly found in our refrigerators and freezers can carry Salmonella is also well documented and cannot be disputed. In fact, Salmonella bacteria are commonly found in the intestinal tract of many different species of animals including humans. The issue at hand is the risk of contracting Salmonella from any of these sources. This document will address the issue in light of concerns raised regarding having reptiles in the classroom.
Many cases of Salmonella
contracted from reptiles have been reported and will continue to be
reported. If each case is examined, poor hygiene is the primary reason
Salmonella was contracted. As a matter of fact, this is true with
virtually all cases of Salmonella regardless of the source. The most
common species implicated in cases of infection from reptiles is the green
iguana followed by the red-eared slider turtle. These two species of
reptiles account for over 95% of all reported cases of reptile related
salmonellosis. However, statistics also show that reptile related
salmonellosis only accounts for between 3-5% of the incidents of
Salmonella poisoning. Therefore, 95-97% of all incidents of Salmonella
are traced to sources other than reptiles.
Salmonella is found in meat, poultry, eggs, milk, and even vegetables. Humans contract salmonellosis by coming into contact with the Salmonella bacteria and ingesting it. It can also be contracted through open cuts. Symptoms of infection include diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and fever.
Salmonella is found in the digestive tract of most animals including reptiles. The route of infection may be from direct contact with the animal’s feces or indirectly from an animal’s skin that has feces on it. Traces of fecal matter in an animal’s enclosure can also be a source of infection. However, reptiles do not exude Salmonella bacteria from their skin nor do they have a tendency to wallow in their feces.
First, those that are at highest
risk are those under the age of 5, the elderly, and people with suppressed
immune systems, as in the case of people with HIV/AIDS. Second, to
contract Salmonella, a person must come in contact with the bacteria and
ingest enough of it to cause illness or have it taken up in their
bloodstream through a fresh open wound. Third, only 3-5% of all cases of
salmonellosis are contracted from reptiles. In other words, 95-97% of the
reported incidents of Salmonella are traced to sources other than
reptiles. These statistics alone demonstrate that the risk of contracting
Salmonella from reptiles is small. Looking more closely reveals that over
95% of all reptile related cases of salmonellosis are traced to green
iguanas and red-eared slider turtles. That is, 95% from only 3-5% of all
cases of Salmonella. Thus, the risks of contracting Salmonella from a
reptile other than a green iguana or a red-eared slider turtle are minute
to say the least.
Following a few simple guidelines will virtually eliminate the risk of contracting Salmonella from reptiles:
1 Wash hands with soap and water after working with reptiles.
2 Do not come in direct contact with the feces of a reptile. Use a scoop or gloves to remove feces from the reptile’s enclosure.
3 Keep the reptile’s environment clean. Feces should be removed upon discovery.
4 Do not allow children less than 5 years of age to handle reptiles or clean reptile enclosures unsupervised.
5 Do not allow reptiles near areas where food preparation or consumption occurs.
Summary
The risk of contracting
Salmonella from reptiles is real; however, the risk is minute. Iguanas
and red-eared slider turtles are the most common source of Salmonella and
poor hygiene is the cause of virtually all cases of Salmonella regardless
of the source. Simple hygiene practices such as avoiding direct contact
with feces, keeping the reptile enclosure clean, and washing hands after
working with reptiles will virtually eliminate the risk of contracting
Salmonella from reptiles. Education is the key to reducing risks rather
than elimination of the source. If elimination of all risks is the goal,
then we should start with the poultry, eggs, and meat sold in virtually
all supermarkets. After all, these foods account for over 95% of reported
cases of Salmonella infection.
Literature:
ACKERMAN, LOWELL, DVM. 1996. The Biology, Husbandry, and Health Care of Reptiles, Volume II. T.F.H. Publications Neptune City, NJ.
MADER, DOUGLAS R., M.S., D.V.M. 1996. Reptile Medicine and Surgery. W.B. Saunders Company, Philadelphia, PA.
Web:
CENTER FOR DISEASE CONTROL WEBSITE: www.cdc.gov/ncidod/disease/submenus/sub_Salmonella.htm
REPTILE-ASSOCIATED SALMONELLOSIS INFORMATION PAGE: www.xmission.com/~gastown/herpmed/salm.htm
MELISSA KAPLAN REPTILE WEBSITE. www.sonic.net/~melissk/aaSalmonella.htm