SuperSnake
New member
snakessss said:
Will do! thanks for your help.
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Is this right???
- Thread starter SuperSnake
- Start date
Will do! thanks for your help.
SuperSnake
New member
Hey it's me again, I got a Q. If salmonella is dangerous to infants and the elderly, what if someone came to visit your house that was too young or too old. What would you do? Would you disinfect the whole house or what? Any help would be aprreciated. Thanks.
Gintha
*stretches* I'm out!
Salmonella doesn't exactly live long on surfaces like couches and carpets, like most microbials it requires moisture to move and live. So, no, I do not disinfect my entire house when my nephew is here (hes one). Even in hospitals now, there is a HUGE controversy over disinfecting EVERYTHING. The theory is if you kill all the bacteria and viruses (not that most viruses die from disinfectants, some actually flourish) around babies and the elderly, then when they do get infected from one.. its worse than it would have been with a constant minimal exposure. My nephew has actual held Treasure (Hunter is too jumpy for him) many many many times, since he (nephew) was 4 months old. Treasure has had a fecal come back showing VERY high levels of salmonella in his digestive tract, and no one in the family has gotten sick from him yet. We all hold him, and kiss him, and let him slither whereever he wants.
Then again, my nephew plays with his red-eared slider (turtle) on a daily basis, these turtles have the highest salmonella "contamination" of any living creature, around 400X greater than that found in chicken poop (the second highest contaminated substance) snakes rank down the line in 5th place.
Dads been a doctor for almost 40 years and never once seen a case of salmonella from a reptile. MacDonald's on the other hand... ewwww... 40-60 cases a week, and we live in a town of only 20,000 people. Scary. (he used to live in Montreal (greater than 6 million people) and never saw or heard of a case of reptile transired salmonella there either)
Then again, my nephew plays with his red-eared slider (turtle) on a daily basis, these turtles have the highest salmonella "contamination" of any living creature, around 400X greater than that found in chicken poop (the second highest contaminated substance) snakes rank down the line in 5th place.
Dads been a doctor for almost 40 years and never once seen a case of salmonella from a reptile. MacDonald's on the other hand... ewwww... 40-60 cases a week, and we live in a town of only 20,000 people. Scary. (he used to live in Montreal (greater than 6 million people) and never saw or heard of a case of reptile transired salmonella there either)
Lennycorn
Just see the truth
Hey guys somebody just posted this about salmonella, check it out .http://www.reptilia.org/News/salmonella.htmt
Lennycorn
Just see the truth
Soory I don't know way but this is waht it saids......
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.
Introduction
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.
History
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.
How is Salmonella contracted?
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.
Reptiles and Salmonella
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.
What is the real risk?
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.
Simple Steps to Reduce Risk of Infection
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.
Sources
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
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.
Introduction
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.
History
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.
How is Salmonella contracted?
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.
Reptiles and Salmonella
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.
What is the real risk?
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.
Simple Steps to Reduce Risk of Infection
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.
Sources
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
SuperSnake
New member
Thanks everyone, okay so I guess I shouldn't really worry about Salmonella being on household surfaces. But does anyone know how long it takes for the bacteria to die after "touching" a surface, such as the couch or carpet? I've heard almost all bacteria and viruses die in a week, but I'm not sure. It seems the risk of Salmonella from reptiles is decreasing. According to Lennycorn's link, about 5% of infections is from reptiles. Here it says about 10% of infections is from reptiles, this article was from a couple of years ago. (The second paragraph scares me ) So roughly estimated, the total risk of getting Salmonella from reptiles went from 10% to 5%, although the sources may be inaccurate. Is Salmonella bacteria like a cold, such as when you get it once, you are immune to that strain of bacteria? You guys really helped, I feel alot better about owning a cornsnake now. :crazy02: lol
) So roughly estimated, the total risk of getting Salmonella from reptiles went from 10% to 5%, although the sources may be inaccurate. Is Salmonella bacteria like a cold, such as when you get it once, you are immune to that strain of bacteria? You guys really helped, I feel alot better about owning a cornsnake now. :crazy02: lolBURN THE GERMS!!!
:flames: :madeuce:
^
Germ.
:flames:
:madeuce: ^
Germ.