If, after touching or handling an amphibian or reptile, you touch your hands to your mouth without thoroughly washing them first, you can infect yourself with Salmonella. The germs can also get on cages, aquariums, terrariums, the water reptiles and amphibians live or swim in and other containers that house them.
What diseases can you get from lizards?
The zoonotic diseases associated with reptile and amphibian contact are primarily bacterial infections. These include Salmonella, Mycobacterium, Campylobacter, Aeromonas, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella, Serratia and Flavobacterium meningosepticum.
Should you wash your hands after touching a reptile?
Reptiles and amphibians that live in tanks or aquariums can contaminate the water with germs, which can spread to people. Do: Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water right after touching or feeding amphibians or reptiles, anything in the area where they live and roam, or water from their housing or habitats.
Why do you have to wash your hands after holding a lizard?
Reptiles and amphibians may carry Salmonella on their bodies, even when they appear healthy and look clean. Anything they touch can be contaminated. The germs can get on cages, aquariums, terrariums and the water reptiles and amphibians live or swim in. People become infected with Salmonella by hand to mouth contact.
Can lizards get human diseases?
All reptiles carry a range of germs including bacteria, viruses, parasites and worms. Many of these can be transmitted on to the family of reptile owners.
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