Salmonella in Herpetology.Getting it into perspective

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Date: Sep 23, 2004 - 09:32 PM
Salmonella in Herpetology.

The incidence of Salmonella is increasing in industrialised countries where the reptile trade is also soaring. It is estimated that there are around 2 - 4 million cases in the U.S. annually.

It is a topic that is highly debateable and often targeted by anti-reptile keeping groups in attempt to halt our hobby.

With reptiles being one of the sources of Salmonella, it is crucial that all involved in the field of herpetology have a good understanding of Salmonella, its consequences and prevention.

This article will provide a brief over view about Salmonella, guidelines for its prevention and a bit of common sense pulling the issues into perspective.


About Salmonella

What is Salmonella?

Salmonella is a type of bacteria discovered by an american scientist called Salmon, and has been recognised as causing illness for over 100 years.

It is a zoonotic disease, meaning it can be passed from animal to animal, a wide range of animals carry zoonoses including cats, dogs, birds and reptiles. Other zoonoses include rabies, BSE and toxoplasmosis. It is spread by touching an infected animal, its faeces or equipment.

Reptiles are known to carry Salmonella in their intestines and can carry Salmonella without displaying any symptoms. People can also be carriers, void of symptoms, unknowingly passing it onto others. People can be carriers for up to a year following infection.There are numerous quotes stating the incidence of reptiles carrying the bacteria, these estimates vary from 30% to 90% of all reptiles.

In people, Salmonellosis causes inflammation of the lining of the intestines leading to diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting, stomach cramps, headaches and dehydration. Some people do experience complications such as septicaemia and it can lead to death. In the year 2000, two UK babies died from Salmonella, in both cases the source was traced back to reptiles. Symptoms ussually commence 8 - 72 hours following infection and generally last from 4 - 7 days, often not requiring treatment. Most people make a full recovery, but a few do go onto experiencepainful eye, joint and micturition problems.

Anyone can become infected with Salmonella, but people with compromised immune systems are at a higher risk. Children under the age of 5, elderly people and anyone recieving chemotherapy are all in this high risk category and in February 2000, the Chief medical officer issued a public warning on the dangers of catching Salmonella from reptiles, recommending that these people avoid contact with reptiles.

Salmonella is determined by laboratory tests to identify it in the faeces of the infected person. Further tests determine the specific type and which antibiotics it is sensitive to. Some Salmonella bacteria have become resistant to antibiotics, largely as a result of the use of antibiotics to promote the growth of feed animals. Attempts at eradicating Salmonella from reptiles have been unsuccessful.

Salmonella is also associated with many foods including raw meat, poultry, seafood, eggs, unprocessed milk and water as well as insects, soil, factory or work surfaces and animal faeces.

Prevention

The Center for Disease Control and Chief Medical Officer are amongst the many organisations that have issued guidelines to prevent the spread of Salmonella. Below is a summary of general recommended guidelines in relation to keeping reptiles.

Always thoroughly wash hands with soap and hot water for at least 30 seconds immediately following handling reptiles or their equipment.

Do not smoke, drink, eat or put youre hands in or near youre mouth whilst handling reptiles, their equipment or faeces. Do not kiss reptiles.

Do not keep reptiles or their vivariums near human food preparation or personal hygiene areas. It is recommended that reptiles are not bathed and their equipment is not cleansed in the kitchen or bathroom sink, if this unavoidable, then full disinfection of the area should follow. Waste material should be disposed of in the toilet.

Those with low immune systems such as children under the age of 5, the elderly, people recieving chemotherapy, people with Aids, Diabetes or other immuno-compromising illneses should either avoid contact with reptiles or use stricter hygiene measures. Children should be taught good handwashing practices. It is strongly recomended that infants under the age of 1 year should have no contact with reptiles.

Follow a regular thorough cleansing regime of youre reptiles housing.

Do not allow youre reptile to roam free around the house.

Always wash youre hands before eating and drinking.

Getting it into perspective.

The risk of contracting Salmonella from reptiles is a favourite reason cited by anti reptile keeping groups, for reptiles not to be kept as pets. These groups frequently misinform the public quoting biased figures, facts, reports and worse case scenarios in their attempts to distort public perception of reptiles and stop our hobby. Whilst it is imperitive that we acknowledge the association between reptiles and Salmonella, we must keep it in perspective.

People contract Salmonella from many different sources, such as food ( eg, in 1985 16,000 people were infected by milk in the USA), far more frequently than from reptiles, yet we still eat and drink these associated items.

With the wide range of animals carrying zoonotic diseases, including pets and livestock, it would be absurd to expect all contact with these animals to stop.

Reptiles are only associated with 7 or 8 species of Salmonella where as you could find 12,500 in youre kitchen.

In herpetology we are striving to improve the standards in which reptiles are kept, it would be prudent to include this topic in education leaflets aimed at prospective reptile owners.

Hobbyists need to be aware of the wider picture aswell. Salmonella doesnt just infect the people in direct contact with reptiles, if hygiene is poor then it could be spread to many people. There have been cases where one person has unknowingly infected numerous people through there job, eg a hospital pharmacist keeping reptiles could infect hundreds of people.

Education is the key. It can be passed on via reptile shops, societies, publications, seminars, tv, schools, the options are endless. Reptile shops are usually a first contact and should take on this responsability seriously if they wish to promote the hobby, acting as role models and encouraging safe practices. Education will promote prevention. As a result, hopefully there will be fewer cases of reptile associated Salmonella, then we can relax and enjoy these wonderful creatures, content with the knowledge that we are promoting the health of our pets and ourselves.

Article written by A Nelson

Disclaimer. This article is only a brief over view of the topic in the title and the author suggests further reading on the topic