Turtles often transmit salmonella

Turtles and other reptiles can transmit Salmonella

21/12/2012

At Christmas, pets will be given away again in many households this year. However, according to the Central Association of Zoological Specialists of Germany (ZFF), this should be well considered, so that neither animal nor human will suffer in retrospect. Explicitly Osnabrück journalist and film author Winfried Brüssing warned against the purchase of turtles. These are not cuddly animals for children, as they are „Like all reptiles, large carriers of Salmonella“ , said Brüssing, who is supported by the pediatrician Prof. Karl Ernst von Mühlendahl, in a press release of the news agency „dpa“.

„One has to clear up that turtles are often salmonella carriers“, emphasized Prof. von Mühlendahl and pointed out that according to a study by the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) from 2008, there was a nationwide accumulation of Salmonella infections in children. There have been deaths from salmonella infections through contact with turtles in the US, UK and Austria, Brüssing said. Under the motto „Danger can be so cute“ Therefore, an information campaign should warn physicians, zoo merchants and consumers of the risk. Even among the doctors many would not associate the occurrence of a salmonella infection with the attitude of reptiles, added Prof. Karl Ernst von Mühlendahl.

Turtles and reptiles as disease transmitters
According to the experts, the Salmonella can already be transmitted when the animals are touched, which is why hand washing after the contact is a must anyway. Also is „It is generally important, not only for reptiles, that parents supervise the handling of the animals“, added Antje Schreiber, press spokeswoman for the Central Association of Zoological Specialists of Germany (ZFF), to the news agency „dpa“. The ZZF recommends that pet store retailers inform customers about the risk of Salmonella transmission, Schreiber continues. How many turtles are actually sold per year, but not known. For children would „However rather turtles bought, which live in the house garden“ and accordingly have less close contact with humans. In addition, be „The prices have risen enormously ", which is why spontaneous purchases today rather form the exception, said the ZZF spokeswoman.

Salmonella infections as a health risk in reptile maintenance?
Turtle keepers, like all reptile keepers, should also think about Salmonella infection (salmonellosis) when they have symptoms such as abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea and vomiting. In case of doubt, a corresponding veterinary examination can provide information. Since in immunocompromised patients, the elderly and infants, salmonellosis may well develop into a serious general infection that, in the worst case, has life-threatening consequences, the risk of infection by the animals should be strongly excluded. In otherwise healthy people, a Salmonella disease often passes by on its own again after a short time, which is why those affected often do not even visit a doctor. For example, the more obstinate illnesses of physicians would often be examined more closely, reports Brüssing and Prof. von Mühlendahl. (Fp)

Picture: Gila Hanssen