Family becomes infected with Salmonella from pet lizards

November 11, 10:35 AMInfectious Disease ExaminerRobert Herriman

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Green anoles
Wikimedia Commons

As reported by WLKY in Louisville, Kentucky, a father who allowed his children to bring home two lizards from science class got his family violently sick with a Salmonella infection.

The dad told his kids that they could bring home the two green anoles not aware of the potential danger of having pet reptiles and lizards.

While the vast majority of Salmonella infections are food borne, it is estimated that approximately 75,000 reptile-transmissed human infections in the U.S. annually.

The likely cause is poor handwashing after handling the lizards. These type of lizards are very commonly used in school science classes.

Fortunately the family has all fully recovered.

Turtles have been highly publicized over the years as being carriers of the deadly bacteria, even causing the Food and Drug Administration to ban the sales of turtles of less than 4 inches nearly 35 years ago.

More than 90% of reptiles are asymptomatic carriers of Salmonella. This is related to the hatchlings eating the feces of infected reptiles which are usual behavior for iguanas and other lizards.

Good handwashing is of utmost importance after handling pet reptiles.

Read more about “Pet reptiles and the risk of salmonella”