MEDIA RELEASE

The Australian Veterinary Association

06 July 2010

Reptile poisoning case prompts pet warning

A severe case of salmonella poisoning involving a baby in Canberra highlights the need for good hygiene when handling pets in general, warns Australia’s peak veterinary organisation.

The case, reported this week in the Medical Journal of Australia, identified a rare strain of Salmonella carried by the family’s pet eastern bearded dragon as the source of the illness.

“Salmonellosis from reptiles can cause serious disease – with most cases in children under the age of 10 and in people who are already sick and have a depleted immune system,” said Dr Robert Johnson from the Australian Veterinary Association.

“A wide variety of animal species, including humans, can be carriers of Salmonella without showing signs of disease. As long as a few rules are followed the risk of contracting salmonellosis is greatly reduced.

“It’s well known that there are lots of health benefits from keeping pets but it’s also important to take some basic precautions to minimise the risk of diseases that can be transferred to animals to humans.

“Research has shown that reptiles that develop salmonellosis are often stressed by factors such as transportation, crowding, food deprivation, exposure to the cold, and sudden change of feed,” said Dr Johnson.

“People who keep reptiles need to be aware of the risks and take some basic precautions.

“Reptile owners can help by taking measures to ensure their pets are not stressed and subsequently more prone to disease and by adopting good hygiene practices such as washing their hands immediately after handling,” said Dr Johnson.

If at all unsure pet owners should consult their local veterinarian for more information about the risks of keeping a particular animal and the best ways of minimising risks.

For further information and requests for interviews contact:

Jacob O’Shaughnessy, Media Relations Manager  

Ph: 02 9431 5062 or 0439 628 898

The Australian Veterinary Association (AVA) is the national professional association of veterinary surgeons in Australia. Founded in 1921, the AVA today represents 5000 members working in all areas of animal science, health and welfare.