Infection Can Happen Via Direct and Indirect Contact
Infection usually occurs orally, for example by eating or touching your mouth after touching something that carries Salmonella bacteria. You can become infected from direct contact with an animal carrying Salmonella. However, because Salmonella can survive on hands, clothing and other surfaces, you can also be exposed to the bacteria by touching objects with which the infected animal has had previous contact (such as floors, furniture, cages, and equipment). As well, you can transfer bacteria from your hands to other people as well as surfaces and objects in your home, from which other people can then be exposed to Salmonella.
Hand Washing
Proper hand washing is one of the most important ways to prevent a lot of infections and this holds true for Salmonella. Wash your hands well after and contact, directly or indirectly, with your pet, and make sure any children in the household do the same. This means hands need to be washed immediately after:
- handling your pet
- touching your pet's cage or tank
- handling your pet's equipment such as food and water bowls, toys, and litter boxes
Other Precautions In addition to washing your hands well after touching your pet reptiles or their cages and equipment, there are several other precautions to take:
- don't wash reptile cages or equipment in the kitchen
- keep reptiles out of the kitchen and away from food preparation or eating areas
- clean and disinfect any surfaces or items that have been in contact with reptiles
- thoroughly clean and disinfect the sink or tub and area used to clean your reptiles cage and supplies
- avoid letting your reptile to roam the house freely
- change and wash clothing after handling reptiles
Centers for Disease Control: Recommendations on Keeping Reptiles
The CDC has made several recommendations regarding prevention of Salmonella infections from reptiles, including advice about keeping reptiles around people most susceptible to Salmonella infections:
- All reptile and amphibian owners should be aware of the potential for Salmonella transmission from their pets. It is the responsibility of the seller (e.g. pet store) as well as health care providers and veterinarians to inform owners of reptiles or amphibians of the risks posed from Salmonella, and its prevention.
- Reptiles or amphibians should not be kept in homes with children younger than 5, or with anyone who is immunocompromised for any reason.
- Children under 5 and immunocompromised people should avoid contact (direct or indirect) with reptiles or amphibians.
- Hands should be thoroughly washed with soap and water each time a reptile or amphibian (or it's equipment) is handled.
- Reptiles or amphibians should not be allowed free roam of living areas or in the kitchen.
- Reptile and amphibian cages and equipment should not be cleaned in the kitchen. Sinks or tubs used for cleaning equipment or bathing reptiles should be disinfected with a bleach solution afterwards.
- Day care centers, preschools, etc. should not house reptiles or amphibians.
- Reptiles on display (such as in zoos) should not be allowed direct or indirect contact with the public except in designated area with hand-washing facilities. Food and drink should not be allowed in these handling areas.
More about Salmonella as well as advice on cleaning and disinfecting around reptiles can be found on Melissa Kaplan's site: