Reptile Zoonoses
Zoonotic diseases are those diseases and infections naturally transmitted between humans and other vertebrate animals. people particularly at risk for such infections are immune suppressed individuals, children who are ten years old or younger, elderly individuals and people with chronic disease. Although zoonotic disease must be considered an inherent danger of pet ownership it should be weighed against the many benefits that pets provide. The positive effects of the human-animal bond are well known. Further, it has been documented that the relationship between a pet and its owner during illness or incapacitation provides important healing effects. considering these facts, ownership of reptiles is appropriate for individuals who Ace. not immunologically at risk and take the necessary hygienic precautions that keep the dangers of disease transmission to a minimum. Reptiles carry many potential pathogens (disease causing organisms) that under the right conditions. can cause infections in humans. Domestically-bred reptiles may harbor fewer pathogens and other parasites if the breeder screens new stock and practices good sanitation, Therefore these reptiles should be considered less likely to transmit zoonotic disease, but one should still practice all the hygienic safeguards when handling any reptile. bites and even superficial scratches should be treated as contaminated wounds and scrubbed thoroughly with soap and water then treated with an antiseptic. One should consider consulting a physician since antimicrobial therapy and a tetanus vaccination may Se necessary. It should be noted that the recovery of a pathogen from a reptile does not necessarily mean that it will be passed onto the human handler. Further, if no pathogens are recovered from a reptile, this does not mean that it is necessarily "clean." The reptile may be a carrier .that is not shedding. The following is a list of hygiene tips; for the reptile owner Always wash your hands after handling the reptile, its dishes, or its cage. Young children should not handle reptiles unless under adult supervision to ensure good hygiene. Protective gloves and face protection should be worn while cleaning the reptile habitat. Disinfect the cage and dishes with a 1:10 dilution of bleach in tap water then rinse with plain water. Water and fecal material should be flushed down the toilet Reptiles, should not be housed or treated in the kitchen. The reptile should have a soaking pool/container of its own rather than using the sink or bathtub. Habitats should be designed with sanitation in mind; i.e., build with nonporous surfaces whenever possible, construct the cage with ease of changing substrate and ease of animal capture in mind, ensure good ventilation and temperature/humidity control. Other pets should not be allowed access tell the reptile. Regular veterinary cave including annual exams and possible screening fur pathogens/parasites can minimize the risk of disease transmission. Salmonellosis has been in the news recently and is a concern to reptile owners. It is a bacterial disease that in humans can cause abdominal pain, cramps, diarrhea, dysentery, nausea, vomiting, and fever. Serious complications, such as meningitis, brain abscesses, and death have occurred, particularly in children. The carrier rate in reptiles has been shown in some cases to be quite high; turtles 12-85%, snakes 16-32%, and lizards 36-77%. Reptiles usually do not show signs of disease but simply carry the pathogen and shed it intermittently. Treatment; of an asymptomatic carrier with antibiotics is probably unwise as it may be difficult to clear positive reptiles or accurately identify that it is truly clear of salmonella after treatment. Treatment failure also may promote the development of drug-resistant strains of the bacteria. Shedding of the bacteria following treatment may not occur for periods of eight weeks or more and because shedding is usually intermittent it is very difficult to ensure treatment success. There are many other bacterial. fungal, viral, protozoal and endoparasitle pathogens that also may be transmitted to humans and should be just as much a concern as the salmonella bacteria. prevention of zoonotic infection by these organisms through proper hygienic procedures and awareness of the potential for disease transmission is the best way to control these zoonoses.
Back
Questions should be directed to our office, 502-245-7863