The following is from the United States Center of Disease Control. Anyone who handles, owns or works around reptiles like nuisance wildlife control and homeowners with reptiles in their home.
An estimated 3% of households in the United States own at least one reptile. Reptiles, including turtles, lizards, and snakes, can carry germs that make people sick. Of greatest importance is Salmonellosis.
An estimated 70,000 people get Salmonellosis from contact with reptiles in the United States each year.
Important Tip!
Children under 5 years old and people with weak immune systems (such as HIV/AIDS) should avoid contact with reptiles. These people can get very sick from a germ, called Salmonella, that reptiles carry. Reptiles include lizards, snakes, and turtles
turtle !
The proper way to prevent Salmonellosis is to follow these CDC Guideleines
Here is the CDC's Bulletin on Healthy Care of Reptiles.
Salmonellosis is an important worldwide health problem, affecting both humans and animals. In the United States, Salmonella causes an estimated 1.4 million episodes of infection and 400 deaths annually in humans. Salmonella usually causes a moderate gastrointestinal disorder, but it may result in more severe disease, such as bacteremia or meningitis, sometimes with fatal outcome.
For decades, reptiles have been recognized as a source of human salmonellosis. Salmonella species were first isolated from snakes, turtles, and lizards in the 1940s, and more recent studies have shown that at least 50%–90% of these animals are carriers of Salmonella. The bacteria are excreted intermittently in the feces but can also be isolated from the cloacae, skin, and throat of water-living reptiles.
Reptiles have become increasingly common as domestic pets. In Canada, pet turtle–associated salmonellosis was recognized as a serious health problem in the 1960s and 1970s, and the country banned imported turtles in 1975.
Learn more about Salmonellosis associated with reptiles by going to the Center For Disease Control Associated Page
This is a video from The Food & Drug Administration on Turtles & Salmonella
The Wildlife Pro, LLC mission is to do our part to conserve Florida's natural biological resources- its own native wildlife, provide reputable and responsible service to the public at large. To specialize in wildlife damage repair and perform wildlife friendly one way door exclusions or total removal of all local nuisance vermin including Fox Squirrel, Grey Squirrel, Flying Squirrel, Bats, Raccoon, Possums, Snakes, Lizards and many species of birds in compliance of local laws, State and federal and requiring approved permits for some work!
The Wildlife Pro, LLC Nuisance Wildlife Control Specialist
Serving Alachua, Bradford, Columbia, Dixie, Gilchrist, Suwanee, Union Counties . 1-800-714-8727
Outside of the area try Anytime Animal Control, FLWCA , NWCOA
