Health Alert

Dear Valued Customer,

    Reptiles (snakes, lizards, including green iguanas, turtles, and other animals), as with many vertebrate animals, have been found to carry Salmonella bacteria as a normal flora of their intestinal tracts. Moreover, reptiles may be capable of transmitting Salmonella bacteria to pet handlers, resulting in symptoms including diarrhea and fever. This "disease", called salmonellosis, can be life threatening in very young children, those with compromised immune systems, and the elderly. Although reptiles can be enjoyable pets, reptile owners should be aware of certain common sense precautions to prevent salmonella infections.

    Generally, people get salmonellosis from eating undercooked meat and eggs, but it can also be contracted through accidental ingestion of fecal material shed from reptiles and other pets, such as ducklings, chicks, etc. . Not only can pet owners get the disease when they forget to wash their hands after handling the animal or cleaning the cage, but they can infect others in their household by hand-to-mouth contact.

    We, along with public health officials, offer the following guidelines to prevent the spread of Salmonella:

• Lessen the risk of infection by hand washing. All people who come in contact with reptiles must wash their hands with warm soapy water after each contact with the pet or the cage litter.

• Keep reptiles out of the kitchen to prevent the contamination of food.

• Infants, young children, people with compromised immune systems, and the elderly may be at increased risk of infection and should avoid contact with the pet or cage litter.

• If a family member develops diarrhea which lasts for more than a day, consult a doctor.

    Enjoy your pet but please be aware of these simple precautions.

    Contact your local health department for further information.

This information sheet has been written and provided as a courtesy by Silver City Serpentarium, Inc. 8/31/02

Silver City Serpentarium, Inc.

Postal Office Box 313

Myakka City, Florida 34251-0313

U.S.A.