Can my Reptile make me Sick? Reptile Associated Salmonella (RAS)

Reptile-associated salmonellosis (RAS) has been connected to bearded dragons as with other reptiles. Even healthy bearded dragons can pass on Salmonella which has significant zoonotic potential (Scheelings et al., 2011).

Reptile-associated salmonellosis (RAS) is a “primary pathogen of reptiles” (Scheelings et al., 2011) can cause serious illness (Salmonella Infection from Frogs, Turtles and Lizards, 2011). However, with proper knowledge and hygiene practices, you can significantly reduce the risk.

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Understanding the Risks: Can I Get Salmonella from My Bearded Dragon?

Bearded dragons, like many other reptiles, can carry Salmonella without showing any signs of illness. This means that even if your pet looks healthy, it could still be a source of infection.

Research indicates that over 90% of reptiles, including bearded dragons, may harbor Salmonella (de Jong et al., 2005). This is why it’s important to be vigilant and take precautions when handling your pet or cleaning its environment.

Quick Facts on Salmonella in Bearded Dragons

• Prevalence: Over 90% of reptiles, including bearded dragons, may carry Salmonella (de Jong et al., 2005).
• Multiple Serotypes: Reptiles can carry various serotypes of Salmonella without exhibiting symptoms.
• Often Sheds Intermittently: Salmonella is often shed intermittently in reptile feces, meaning that even though it may be present it may not be detected in periodic testing.
• Salmonella Presence: Salmonella organisms can live in your bearded dragon’s gastrointestinal tract which is then shed through faeces. Salmonella is then present on or in your bearded dragon’s faeces, skin and thereon everything they contact.
• No Strain is Safe: All strains of Salmonella in reptiles have the potential to cause infections in humans. This makes hygiene practices crucial when handling reptiles or cleaning their habitats.
• High-Risk Groups: Children under 5, adults over 65, and immunocompromised individuals are more susceptible to severe illness from Salmonella (CDC, 2024).
• Good News: The risk of Salmonella can be significantly minimized by following proper cleaning and disinfection practices (Kaplan, 2003; AVMA, 2011). Awareness is key to prevention.

Understanding Your Risk: How Likely Is Salmonella Transmission from Reptiles?

What are the Chances of Getting Salmonella from my Bearded Dragon?

Quantifying the risk of getting Salmonella from your bearded dragon can be challenging. However, some studies provide insights. According to a US study conducted by Mermin et al., (2004):

• The US experiences 1.4 million cases of Salmonella infection annually, with about 6% linked to reptiles and amphibians, equating to 74,000 cases annually.
• Children under 21 have a 2.4 times higher risk of infection compared to other age groups.
• Murphy and Oshin (2014) conducted a study in South West England and found that:
• 27% of all Salmonella cases in children under 5 were linked to reptiles, with nearly 48% of these cases requiring hospitalization (as compared to other infection sources which were 19%).
• Children with reptile associated Salmonella were 2.5 times more likely to end up in hospital.

Is History Being Repeated? 1970’s Salmonella Outbreak Compared with Today

In the 1970’s there was an alarming 18% of Salmonella cases in children between 1 to 9 years old from small turtles. This led to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) imposing a federal ban in 1975 on the sale of small turtles with a shell length of less than 4 inches. The ban resulted in a 77% reduction in the incidence of Salmonella infections linked to turtles among children and nearly eliminating turtle-associated salmonellosis.

Mermin et al., (2004) have found the current infection rates of Salmonella related to reptiles and those from the 1970s echo past public health challenges. The study goes on to suggest that reptile and amphibian associated Salmonella infections now present a public health challenge comparable to the turtle-associated infections of the 1970s, with an estimated population attributable fraction of 11% among individuals under 21 years old.

This shift indicates that while the specific source of reptile-associated Salmonella may have changed over time, the underlying public health risk remains significant. The rise in reptile ownership and the associated increase in Salmonella cases highlight an ongoing need for awareness and preventive measures to protect vulnerable populations, especially children, from these infections.

Children, Elderly and Immunocompromised Individuals are at High Risk

Reptile-associated Salmonella infections are more likely to be associated with invasive disease, more commonly lead to hospitalization, and more frequently involve infants than do other Salmonella infections.

Moffatt et al., 2010

The CDC (2024) warns that while Salmonella can pose a risk to anyone, certain groups are more vulnerable to severe illness, including:

• Young children, particularly under the age of 5, are at a higher risk of serious complications from Salmonella. Their immune systems aren’t fully developed, making them more susceptible to infections that might cause mild symptoms in adults.
• The elderly, especially over 65.
• Those with weakened immune systems, whether due to medical conditions, treatments like chemotherapy, or medications that suppress the immune system, are at greater risk of severe infection from Salmonella.

If you have reptiles and belong to or care for someone in one of these groups, extra precautions are necessary. For the best professional advice, consult your doctor.

Symptoms of Salmonella Infection in Humans

If Salmonella does happen to make its way into your system, it could take from 6 hours to 6 days for symptoms to start showing and many people will recover after 4 to 7 days without treatment (CDC, 2024). Here are some symptoms to watch for:

• Fever
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea (possibly bloody)
• Abdominal cramps
• Severe dehydration, especially in children

While these symptoms can be unpleasant, knowing what to look for allows you to seek medical advice early, which can make a significant difference in recovery.

How Does My Reptile get Salmonella?

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Salmonella is a natural part of the intestinal flora in many reptiles, meaning that these bacteria are naturally present in their digestive systems (Schumacher, 2006). Certain conditions can increase the likelihood of shedding, such as:

• Transportation,
• Overcrowding,
• Food deprivation and malnutrition,
• Thermal burns,
• Ingestive bedding or substrates,
• Poor environmental conditions which include hygiene and temperature.

Mermin (2004), Mitchell & Shane (2000), Varela et al., (2022) and Scheelings et al., (2011) highlight other means of reptiles may become infected with Salmonella from already contaminated sources such as:

• Eating contaminated foods such as undercooked chicken or mice
• Household dust
• Even some vacuums have been tested positive with Salmonella
• Touching or eating feces
• Soil
• Eggshell remnants
• Enclosure

Can Feeder Mice and Chicks be Infected with Salmonella?

Yes, chicks and feeder rodents (mice and rats) both frozen and live can carry Salmonella. A study by Marin et al, 2018 identified Salmonella bacteria in over a quarter of frozen feeder mice (28.8%) meant for reptile consumption.

Feeder chicks and rodents can naturally carry Salmonella bacteria in their intestines and like reptiles they don’t generally show any signs of illness. However, a study by Marin et al., (2018) found that mice were more likely to be contaminated with Salmonella externally than internally which clearly demonstrates that the gut is not the only concern. In fact 92.3% of mice that were positive for Salmonella were externally contaminated as opposed to 26.9% internally infected. In addition, 83% of fuzzies were contaminated and pinkies were lower at 8.3%.

These bacteria are shed in the rodents’ feces, contaminating their bodies and environments, including their enclosures and the tools used to handle them. Freezing does not kill Salmonella so frozen rodents remain contaminated once frozen (U.S. Food and Drug Administration, 2024; Reducing the Risks of Salmonella Infection from Reptiles, Gov.UK.).

Handling feeder rodents, their enclosures, or anything they have touched can transfer Salmonella germs to your hands, clothes, and nearby surfaces. This contamination can spread to areas where food is prepared, stored, or eaten if proper precautions are not taken. Additionally, the process of thawing frozen feeder rodents can spread Salmonella if done in a microwave or on surfaces used for human food preparation. Even the utensils used to handle feeder rodents should be kept separate from those used for human food to prevent cross-contamination.

Scheelings et al., (2011) found that Salmonella shedding in reptiles is closely linked to their diet. Carnivorous reptiles, those that eat other animals, had a much higher rate of Salmonella in their feces, with 35.6% testing positive, compared to just 16.4% of insect-eating reptiles. Most notably a massive 83% of captive reptiles that were fed only rodents tested positive for Salmonella.

Can Insects be Infected with Salmonella?

Studies have shown that edible insects (intended for human consumption) pose a low risk of Salmonella contamination (Fazion et al., 2023). Insects have the potential to harbor and spread Salmonella however, reptiles fed on insects showed a far lower infected by Salmonella than those fed on mice (see diagram above) (Scheelings et al., 2011).

Occasionally wild insects may have Salmonella (Andino & Hanning, 2015). The diet of insects plays a crucial role in their microbial content (Baigts-Allende & Stathopoulos, 2023). Other animals can spread these bacteria into the environment, contaminating soil and water, which in turn can affect wild insects (Baigts-Allende & Stathopoulos, 2023). Zafar et al., (2019) studied the prevalence of Salmonella in honeybees and found that 13% of those they sampled were infected.

Research by Fazion et al., (2023) indicates that some insect species have been observed to reduce or even eliminate pathogens like Salmonella in their substrates. Possibly due to the insects natural defense mechanisms, such as the production of antimicrobial peptides. However, in general, humid farming conditions, like those used for mealworms (Tenebrio molitor), can facilitate Salmonella growth and persistence, particularly when wet substrates are used as a water source.

Pest insects are known vectors of Salmonella such as Darkling beetles, leafhoppers, aphids, flies and cockroaches. Welsher, (2024) discusses pest insects like the Darkling beetle in poultry farming, showing that the Darkling beetle can internalize pathogens or carry them on their exoskeleton. Once the beetles carry Salmonella, they act similarly to other pests like rodents and flies, spreading the bacteria.
Furthermore, research by Soto-Arias et al., (2014) found that leafhoppers (M. quadrilineatus) and aphids (M. persicae) can pick up Salmonella from contaminated plants, either by getting it on their bodies or by ingesting it while they feed.

Salmonella Infection Rates of Reptiles

Reptiles in captivity were significantly more likely to shed Salmonella than those sampled in the wild.

Pees et al., 2023

Salmonella carriage rates among reptiles can vary widely. Surveys indicate that between 15% and 60% of reptiles carry Salmonella, with some species showing rates as low as 5% or as high as 90% (Reptile and Amphibian Associated Salmonellosis, 2023). Snakes and lizards tend to have significantly higher carriage rates compared to turtles and tortoises.

Snakes appear more likely to shed Salmonella and be ill from the infection than lizards and turtles/tortoises.

Wildlife Health Australia, 2018

Studies reveal some large variations in the rates of Salmonella infection in the samples taken. Here’s a breakdown by country:

• New Zealand 5% (including 82 geckos and 139 sinks) (Dorzdz, 2021)
• Italy 13.6% (including chelonians, saurians and ophidians) (Dorzdz, 2021)
• Brazil that number was 34.2% (including lizards, chelonians, and snakes); (Dorzdz, 2021)
• Malaysia 36% (captive lizards) (Cheng et al., 2014)
• Australia 27.6% (captive and wild lizards) (57% of bearded dragons had Salmonella and 69.2% of snakes); (Scheelings et al., 2011)
• Spain 48% Salmonella infection rate (reptiles from pet shops and households) (Dorzdz, 2021)
• Poland 52% of the bearded dragons (13 out of 25) and 44.8% of the green iguanas (13 out of 29) tested positive) (Piasecki et al., 2014)
• Japan 94% of 16 bearded dragons tested were infected with Salmonella (Nakadai et al., 2005)

How Can I Tell if My Bearded Dragon Has Salmonella?

Unfortunately, there isn’t a way to visually detect if Salmonella is present with bearded dragons since they can be carriers without showing any signs of illness. As it cannot be seen it’s challenging or impossible to identify infected pets just by observation. However, there are tests that can be done to detect Salmonella.

What are the Symptoms of Salmonella in Reptiles?

The Reptile and Amphibian Associated Salmonellosis factsheet (2023) highlights that while it is unusual for reptiles to show symptoms of Salmonella infection, when they do get sick, the symptoms can be diverse. Symptoms may include:

• Infections in the blood (septicemia),
• Bones and joints,
• Lungs (pneumonia), or digestive system.
• In some cases, organs like the liver, spleen, or kidneys may also be affected.
• Many reptiles with Salmonella show only general signs of illness if at all, such as:
• Not eating,
• Losing weight,
• Being unusually tired.
• Skin infections (which are common in reptiles that are already weak from other causes).
• Other possible signs include:
  • pale gums,
  • runny noses,
  • diarrhea, and
  • difficulty breathing.
  • Some reptiles may develop multiple abscesses (pockets of infection) under the skin.

Can my Reptile be Tested for Salmonella?

Yes, bearded dragons can be tested for Salmonella, but the process is not always straightforward. Salmonella is often shed intermittently, which means that a bearded dragon might test negative one day and positive the next, even if the bacteria are present. This makes it challenging to confirm whether your pet is carrying the bacteria based on a single test, and multiple tests may be necessary.

Testing isn’t generally recommended by some experts, such as the Parasite Vet (Veterinary-Parasitology, 2020), under normal conditions. The best approach is to assume that your bearded dragon could be carrying Salmonella and to always practice good hygiene.

How Do Reptiles Pass Salmonella to Humans?

Salmonella can be transmitted from your bearded dragon to you through both direct and indirect contact. The bacteria are primarily spread through the fecal-oral route, but they can also be acquired through wounds or even inhalation (Reptile-Associated Salmonellosis, 2023). Here are some examples of how Salmonella can be transmitted:

1. Feeding Mice: In both the United Kingdom and the United States, reptile owners have indirectly experienced outbreaks of Salmonella by feeding mice to their pets.
2. Handling or Its Environment: When you touch your bearded dragon or objects in its habitat, Salmonella bacteria present on its skin or in its environment can transfer to you.
3. Fecal-Oral Transmission: Salmonella bacteria are often shed in the feces of bearded dragons. If these fecal particles are inadvertently transferred to your mouth, for example, by touching your face after handling your pet or its habitat without washing your hands, you can become infected.
4. Close Contact: Engaging in close contact with your bearded dragon, such as kissing or allowing it near your face, increases the risk of Salmonella transmission. Instances have been documented, such as in Georgia, USA, where individuals contracted Salmonella infections, leading to hospitalizations after kissing their reptile pets. An example of ways to pass Salmonella onto others can be as simple as touching a surface on the cage and then someone else puts their hand in the same spot later or quickly reaching out to stop a toddler from falling by grabbing the toddler’s hand.

Controlling Salmonella Through Cleaning and Prevention

Preventing Salmonella from Your Bearded Dragon Through Good Habits

Here are 6 protocols that help prevent contracting reptile associated salmonella, it’s all about creating good habits:

1. Personal Hygiene:

• Always wash your hands thoroughly after handling your reptile or cleaning its habitat.
• Teach children to wash their hands thoroughly after any contact with a reptile or its habitat and to avoid touching their faces afterward.

2. Avoiding Contamination:

• Do not eat, smoke, or engage in any activities that could bring bacteria to your mouth while interacting with your reptile.
• Avoid close facial contact with your bearded dragon or other reptiles to minimize the risk of bacteria transfer.
• Do not allow your reptile to roam freely in the house, especially in kitchens, food preparation areas, or bedrooms.
• Keep non-traditional pets and their supplies out of bedrooms, the kitchen, dining room, and other areas where food is prepared, served, stored, or consumed.
• Keep the areas clean of pests including any colonies of insects being bred for the reptiles

3. Safe Food Handling:

• Safe food handling and preperation techniques for feeding mice to reptiles.

4. Cleaning and Disinfecting Procedures for Salmonella Control:

• Put cleaning procedures in place that also combat Salmonella whether it is known to be present or not, prevention is better than cure.

5. Educate Others:

• Educate visitors, especially children, on safe handling practices when interacting with reptiles.
• Take extra hygiene measures, such as wearing gloves when handling your bearded dragon or cleaning its habitat, and wash cage accessories and dishes outside.

6. Special Considerations for Children and Vulnerable Individuals:

• Do not allow childing and other vulnerable persons to have direct or indirect contact with reptiles. Encourage observation rather than handling.
• Consider washing thoroughly and changing clothes before coming into contact with especially vulnerable individuals. An alternative to changing clothes could be to keep dedicated overalls or shirts for handling reptiles.

Can Salmonella be Eradicated in Reptiles?

Treating healthy reptiles with antimicrobials is generally not advised, is unlikely to eliminate Salmonella completely and can worsen the problem of antimicrobial resistance (Pees et al., 2023; Varela, 2022). Instead of treatment, it may be more effective to remove animals that test positive for Salmonella.

This aligns with findings from earlier studies, such as Mitchell et al. (2007), which highlighted that using antimicrobials to raise Salmonella-free reptiles often leads to the selection of resistant bacterial strains. Such practices have resulted in antimicrobial-resistant infections not only in reptiles but also in humans.

How Long Can Salmonella Survive in a Reptile Cage or Water?

The Reptile-Associated Salmonellosis factsheet (2023) highlights that warm and moist environments are ideal for Salmonella survival. In reptile enclosures, Salmonella can stay viable in dried feces for up to 6 months, even after the reptile has been removed (Grier, 1993). In tap water, the bacteria can survive for up to 89 days, and in pond water, it can last for 115 days. Additionally, in compost, Salmonella has been found to continue multiplying for as long as a year.

Learning from Real Stories: The Impact of Reptile Associated Salmonella

Here are some real-life stories of how we are exposed to the risks of Salmonella infection through our reptiles and what happens as a result. These stories help us put in place effective controls to prevent Salmonella contamination in those we love.

Story 1: How a Family’s Pet Lizard Led to a Baby’s Salmonella Scare and the Loss of a Pet

In August 2009, a 4-month-old girl was brought to an emergency department in the Australian Capital Territory. She had a fever for two days, vomiting, and bloody diarrhea, which had led to rectal prolapse and showed signs of dehydration, including tachycardia (an abnormally fast heart rate), and continued to have profuse diarrhea.

Tests were performed on the young girl’s stools which revealed that the child was infected with Salmonella. After four days in the hospital, the child showed improvement and was discharged. However, her diarrhea continued for some time after leaving the hospital.

An investigation into the source of the infection by the environmental health officer revealed that the family kept a 4-year-old pet eastern bearded dragon (Pogona barbata). The mother primarily fed the lizard and cleaned its terrarium. The bearded dragon was not allowed to roam freely in the house but was occasionally handled by the mother. There was no direct contact between the baby and the bearded dragon, and the other children in the household had only rare contact with the reptile.

Samples were collected from the bearded dragon’s terrarium, including feces, drinking water, bark, and swabs from the terrarium environment. Additionally, a sample was taken from the household vacuum cleaner filter. All these samples tested positive for Salmonella.
Once the family were made aware that their reptile was the source of Salmonella infection they decided that the risk was too high and had the bearded dragon euthanized. (Moffatt et al., 2010)

Story 2: The Iguana That Hospitalised a Baby

A household purchased an iguana from a pet shop. One month later their baby contracted Salmonella. She had symptoms of a temperature of 38.7C, was vomiting and reduced urine. The baby was admitted to pediatric intensive care. The baby had never touched the iguana, but the father had. He reported handling the iguana a lot and that he always washed his hands between handling the iguana and feeding their baby. The iguana’s feces were tested for salmonella but came back negative. However, the pet shop cage the iguana initially came from tested positive. (Dalton, 1995)

Story 3: Unwashed Hands, Unseen Threats: The Costly Mistake of a Father’s Love

The father of a 1-month-old baby boy had an iguana. He stated that he rarely washed his hands after handling the reptile. The father would calm his son by allowing him to suck on his fingers.

The symptoms of the baby boy included a temperature of 38C, elevated pulse rate, diarrhea, vomiting and lethargy. (Dalton, 1995)

Story 4: Zoo Day Gone Wrong: How a Komodo Dragon Exhibit Sparked a Salmonella Outbreak

In January 1996, a group of children visited a special Komodo dragon exhibit at the Denver Zoological Gardens. This exciting experience quickly turned concerning when several of these children fell ill with severe diarrhea and eight individuals required hospitalization.

A subsequent investigation revealed that the children who visited the Komodo dragon exhibit between January 13 and 21 were at the highest risk. Of the 65 people who became ill, 39 had confirmed cases of Salmonella, and 26 were suspected cases. The median age of those affected was 7 years old, with the youngest being just 3 months old and the oldest 48 years old. Over half of those affected were children under 13, and 56% of the cases involved bloody diarrhea.

None of the patients touched the Komodo dragons directly but many had touched the wooden barrier surrounding the exhibit. It was this barrier, contaminated with Salmonella, that likely led to the transmission of the bacteria to the visitors. When these children and other attendees touched the barrier and later ate food or touched their faces without washing their hands, they unknowingly ingested the bacteria.

The magnitude of the outbreak was significant, with an estimated 315 additional cases of salmonellosis likely occurring among the zoo’s young visitors. This incident highlighted the importance of handwashing, as those who washed their hands after visiting the exhibit were much less likely to fall ill. (Friedman et al., 1998)

Concluding: Reptile Associated Salmonella

As the risks associated with Salmonella in reptiles highlights both the concerns and the preventive measures we can all take. While the potential dangers are real, the good news is that these risks can generally be well-managed with proper care and hygiene practices. Prevention truly is better than cure. By implementing the strategies discussed in this article, you can significantly reduce the chances of infection.

If you have concerns, it’s always a good idea to consult with your doctor and veterinarian for professional advice relevant to your circumstances. They can provide further guidance on protecting both your family and your pets.

Keep in mind that all strains of Salmonella in reptiles have the potential to cause infections in humans. This makes hygiene practices crucial when handling reptiles or cleaning their habitats.

Additionally, regulating the trade of these animals and introducing Salmonella control programs for reptiles could further help reduce the risk of transmission. Although reptiles contribute to a relatively small percentage of salmonellosis cases, the risk is more pronounced in children under the age of five, who are more susceptible to severe illness (Whiley et al., 2017). By staying informed and vigilant, you can enjoy the companionship of your reptilian pets while keeping your household safe from Salmonella.

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