Iguana Basics 101

WHAT IS SALMONELLA?

Salmonella is a bacteria that lives in the gastrointestinal tracts of insects, mammals, birds, and reptiles. This bacteria can infect and cause disease in both animals and people (this type of disease causing organism is called a Zoonoosis). Salmonella bacteria can be transmitted from one animal to another, or one person to another, through direct contact with feces, or something which has become contaminated with feces.

Salmonellosis is the medical term for a Salmonella infection. This infection can be caused by any one of the hundreds of Salmonella causing organisms, and is usually associated with food poisoning. The symptoms of Infection usually include; extreme diarrhea, dehydration, stomach cramps, high fever and in some rare cases it can even cause death. In a mild infection, symptoms are often dismissed as, the flu or a "24 hour bug."

The most common source of salmonellosis is through the ingestion of contaminated food, Improperly cooked meats, especially poultry and chopped beef, pork, turkey and eggs. Infection by can occur through an open cut, sore or wound into the bloodstream, splashing of contaminated material into the eyes, inhalation of sprayed contaminated solutions and aerosols, animals and animal products are the most common sources of infection.

Incidences of Salmonellosis from reptiles is on the rise due in part to both the increased numbers of reptiles as pets, and the fact that so many are not cared for properly. Many owners that are misled by the myth that reptiles are easy to care for animals, as such many of these new owners fail to take the proper precautions necessary to reduce the risk of spreading a bacterial or parasite infection to themselves or their families.

The association between Salmonella and reptiles can be traced back to the early 1970s when 250,000-300,000 salmonella related cases were linked to contact with pet turtles (baby Red Ear Sliders). As early as 1940 snakes and lizards were identified as potential sources of Salmonella infection. The media has heavily publicized the fact that some Salmonella related fatalities are reptile associated. Other common household pets also pose a hazard, infected cats or dogs, even though they might appear healthy, can transmit Salmonella related illness to humans.

Surprisingly infants are not the only children at risk. A child can contract salmonellosis even before birth!! According to Martin Toly, (a Regional Epidemiologist with the New York State Department of Health) one New York woman transmitted Salmonella (traced to contact from an Iguana) to her unborn child. As a result of this infection the child died as a newborn. Understandably, Salmonella should be and is a matter of legitimate medical concern.

There is a revolutionary new treatment being suggested for Salmonella that promises astounding results without the use of Antibiotics that increase the chance of resistant bacteria. This treatment involves giving doses of benificial gut bacteria the same as Doctors often recomend for people on continuous antibiotic treatments. In people it is often recomended that Acidophilis be taken in conjunction with antibiotic therapy to prevent superinfections caused by other harmful bacteria filling the empty spaces in the intestinal tract left by bacteria dying as a result of the antibiotic treatment. Currently the only product of it's kind that I am aware of, NutriBAC df� is specially formulated for Reptiles & Amphibians. Contact Midwest Zoological Research, Inc. P.O. Box 1772, Warsaw, IN 46581 Call 1-800-664-1648 . Or you can E-Mail them at tony@nutribac.com Visit their website at http://www.nutribac.com/page3/page2/welcome.htm

According to the U.S. Department of Health the following groups of people should avoid all contact, direct or indirect, with any reptile due to their increased risk that a serious infection with Salmonella could be potentially life threatening.

• * Infants and children up to five years of age.

• * Anyone with HIV/AIDS or other immuno-deficiency disorders.

• * Anyone who has had transplant surgery and is on anti-rejection or anti-cancer therapies.

• * Anyone who is on any drug which suppresses and/or alters immune system function, including steroids, cancer chemotherapy, biological response modifiers and others .

• * Anyone receiving radiation treatment or therapies.

• * Women who are pregnant (due to risk of Salmonella transmission to the unborn fetus).

• * Elderly, frail or people experiencing Malnutrition.

  Caution; It is strongly recommended that you consult your physician immediately if you, or if any family member, develops unexplained diarrhea which lasts for more than a day.

How can you avoid becoming infected

• * After handling any reptile be sure and wash hands with a good antibacterial soap and hot water, washing thoroughly for at least 30 seconds.

• * Keep reptiles out of kitchen areas and away from any surfaces where food is stored, prepared or served.

• * Do not use kitchen sinks to clean reptile accessories or caging materials, unless extreme care is taken to insure that all areas are thoroughly cleaned and disinfected afterwards.

• * Do not touch food, dishes, pots, pans or other utensils after handling any reptiles or their accessories until after your hands have been thoroughly washed. Do not use bathtubs or shower stalls for reptile-related operations unless thoroughly disinfected afterwards. Keep all reptile enclosures, water and food bowls and surfaces as clean as possible, use rubber gloves, and a facemask if the cage is dusty. Avoid splashes to face when washing reptile enclosures and accessories.

• * Do not permit unsupervised handling of reptiles by children under 12 years old. Children tend to forget to wash their hands before eating food or placing fingers into their mouths.

• * * Reptiles should not be kept in any child-care facility where toddlers and pre-schoolers are cared for. Reptiles kept in classrooms should not be handled unless appropriate handwashing and clean-up facilities are available and made accessible. Handwashing guidelines must be strictly enforced for use by both children and staff.

• * Disinfectant lotions, wipes, pump sprays or similar products should be carried whenever reptiles are going to be handled in the field, in the classroom, at swap meets or other locations where handwashing facilities may be poor or absent.

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