Salmonella outbreak traced to pet geckos

Canadian health officials are investigating a Salmonella outbreak associated with geckos.

The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) has identified 25 patients. One person has died. Three people have required hospitalization.

The health agency reports that patients have ranged in age from 1 to 103. The most recent patient became ill in September.

“Reptiles like geckos can carry salmonella. You can get sick with salmonella by touching reptiles or their environments and then touching your face, eyes, or mouth before washing your hands,” the health agency said in a public warning.

“You can also get sick by touching contaminated surfaces or objects in a home or within the exhibit where geckos are kept. This can occur at birthday parties, schools, daycares, museums, science centers, zoos, or a traveling reptile show.”

PHAC said people handling geckos should always wash their hands and “never kiss a pet reptile.”

Previous outbreaks
Federal health officials have closed two investigations into long-running salmonella outbreaks that led to more than 100 infections and one death.

The Salmonella outbreaks involved geckos, snakes, and rodents.

Those outbreaks led to one death and more than 100 illnesses. The health agency said babies under one were among the cases, and seniors as old as 96.

The snake and rodent outbreak resulted in 76 confirmed cases of Salmonella. People became sick between February 2022 and April 2024. Whole genome sequencing of tests from sick people showed that the patients were part of the same outbreak.

Ten people were treated in hospital after becoming infected. One person died.

There weren’t any known deaths in the outbreak associated with geckos, but 36 cases were identified between March 2020 and March 2024. Five of the patients needed hospital treatment.

About Salmonella infections
Salmonella bacteria cannot be seen, smelled, or tasted. Anyone can become sick with a Salmonella infection. Infants, children, seniors, and people with weakened immune systems are at higher risk of serious illness because their immune systems are fragile.

Anyone who has had contact with reptiles or their habitats, and developed symptoms of Salmonella infection should seek medical attention. Sick people should tell their doctors about the possible exposure to Salmonella bacteria because special tests are necessary to diagnose salmonellosis. Salmonella infection symptoms can mimic other illnesses, frequently leading to misdiagnosis.

Symptoms of Salmonella infection can include diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and fever within 12 to 72 hours after eating contaminated food. Otherwise, healthy adults are usually sick for four to seven days. In some cases, however, diarrhea may be so severe that patients require hospitalization.

Older adults, children, pregnant women, and people with weakened immune systems, such as cancer patients, are more likely to develop severe illness and serious, sometimes life-threatening conditions.

Some people become infected without showing any symptoms. However, they may still spread the infection to others.

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Source: https://www.foodsafetynews.com/2024/10/salmonella-outbreak-traced-to-pet-geckos/