Salmonella Infections Linked to Pet Lizards According to CDC
Last month, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced that 132 people had been infected by an outbreak of Salmonella. These cases have occurred in 31 states and have resulted in 42% of the infected people requiring hospitalization. CDC reports indicate that 58% of the sick people have been children 5 years of age or younger.
According to the CDC, “Epidemiologic, laboratory, and traceback findings have linked this outbreak of Salmonella infections to contact with pet bearded dragons purchased from multiple stores in different states.” Some reptiles and amphibians have been known to carry Salmonella, including many varieties that are common household pets. They may appear healthy, but handling these animals or having contact with their environment where they live can result in infections. For people who have these types of animals as pets, it is important that they wash their hands after having any type of contact to prevent becoming infected or spreading the bacteria to other surfaces that people may touch.
“Many people only associate Salmonella infections with contaminated foods, but there are other sources of this pathogen,” said Jason Dobranic, Ph.D., Vice President of Microbiology and Life Sciences at EMSL Analytical, Inc. “A high percentage of the people infected in this recent outbreak were young children. This is likely due to the fact that the children, with their frequent hand to mouth actions, had significant contact with the reptiles and because their immune systems are still developing.”
EMSL provides environmental testing services that can help to identify when microbial contaminants, such as Salmonella, are present. Testing can help stop the spread of these pathogens, prevent outbreaks and identify the source of an outbreak if one has already occurred. Testing is also instrumental after disinfecting procedures to confirm that the contaminants are no longer a threat.
To learn more about environmental testing for microbial pathogens or other health and safety testing issues, please visit www.EMSL.com, call (800) 220-3675 or email info@EMSL.com .
About EMSL Analytical, Inc.
EMSL Analytical is a nationally recognized and locally focused provider of environmental, indoor air quality and materials testing services and products to professionals and the general public. The company has an extensive list of accreditations from leading organizations as well as state and federal regulating bodies.
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