Reptile-associated salmonellosis - selected states, 1994-1995

Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, May 5, 1995

* Veterinarians and operators of pet stores should advise reptile owners always to wash their hands after handling reptiles and reptile cages.

* To prevent contamination of food-preparation areas (e.g., kitchen) and other selected sites, reptiles shouldd be kept out of these areas - in particular, kitchen sinks should not be used to bathe reptiles or to wash reptile dishes, cages, or aquariums.

References

[1.] CDC. Iguana-associated salmonellosis - Indiana, 1990. MMWR 1992;41:38-9. [2.] CDC. Lizard-associated salmonellosis - Utah. MMWR 1992;41:610-1. [3.] Chiodini RJ, Sundberg JR Salmonellosis in reptiles: a review. Am J Epidemiol 1981;113:494-9. [4.] Shane SM, Gilbert R, Harrington KS. Salmonella colonization in commercial pet turtles (Pseudemys scripta elegans). Epidemiol Infect 1990;105:307-16. [5.] Troyer K. Transfer of fermentative microbes between generations in herbivorous lizard. Science 1982;216:540-2. [6.] Cohen ML, Potter M, Pollard R, Feldman RA. Turtle-associated salmonellosis in the United States: effect of public health action, 1970 to 1976. JAMA 1980;243:1247-9. [7.] Cieslak PR, Angulo FJ, Dueger EL, Maloney EK, Swerdlow DL. Leapin' lizards: a jump in the incidence of reptile-associated salmonellosis [Abstract]. In: Program and abstracts of the 34th Interscience Conference on Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy. Washington, DC: American Society for Microbiology, 1994. [8.] Ackman D, Drabkin P, Birkhead B, Cieslak P. Reptile-associated salmonellosis: a case-control study [Abstract]. In: Program and abstracts of the 34th Interscience Conference on Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy. Washington, DC: American Society for Microbiology, 1994. [9.] Dalton C, Hoffman R, Pape J. Iguana-associated salmonellosis in children. Pediatr infect Dis J 1995;14:319-20.