Reptiles and Summer

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Posted by Samcin on June 20, 2001 at 16:57:32:

This is from the Humane Society Newletter:THIS SUMMER, REMEMBER THE REPTILES:
Frog-jumping contests, reptile give-aways, and turtle races are common
summer fair events that pose a significant risk to both humans and
animals. People who come into contact with reptiles and amphibians run a
risk of contracting salmonella infection (especially children). In 1999,
the Center for Disease Control (CDC) warned that 93,000 people contract
Salmonellosis from contact with reptiles or amphibians every year. Many
are hospitalized, and still others die from their infection. Although the
CDC has specific recommendations to prevent salmonella infection (ie:
washing with anti-bacterial soap immediately after handling reptiles),
these guidelines are almost impossible to follow during fairs or other
public events. There are also serious humane concerns for the reptiles and
amphibians themselves, the vast majority of whom suffer and perish from
neglect and improper care. Conservationists are also concerned with the
collection of wild amphibians and reptiles to stock these summer fairs
events and contests.
WHAT YOU CAN DO:
If you attend a fair that is using reptiles and amphibians as part of its
attraction, take time to educate event sponsors, state and local health
departments, and your state secretary of agriculture (who approves reptile
give-aways). Make them aware of the health risks and cruelty issues
involved in these events and ask that they discontinue such events. You
might also wish to let them know that sponsors may be held legally liable
for illnesses caused by these careless events. Contact HSUS at (301)
258-3143 or mjacmenovic@hsus.org for more info.

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: This is from the Humane Society Newletter:THIS SUMMER, REMEMBER THE REPTILES: : Frog-jumping contests, reptile give-aways, and turtle races are common : summer fair events that pose a significant risk to both humans and : animals. People who come into contact with reptiles and amphibians run a : risk of contracting salmonella infection (especially children). In 1999, : the Center for Disease Control (CDC) warned that 93,000 people contract : Salmonellosis from contact with reptiles or amphibians every year. Many : are hospitalized, and still others die from their infection. Although the : CDC has specific recommendations to prevent salmonella infection (ie: : washing with anti-bacterial soap immediately after handling reptiles), : these guidelines are almost impossible to follow during fairs or other : public events. There are also serious humane concerns for the reptiles and : amphibians themselves, the vast majority of whom suffer and perish from : neglect and improper care. Conservationists are also concerned with the : collection of wild amphibians and reptiles to stock these summer fairs : events and contests. : WHAT YOU CAN DO: : If you attend a fair that is using reptiles and amphibians as part of its : attraction, take time to educate event sponsors, state and local health : departments, and your state secretary of agriculture (who approves reptile : give-aways). Make them aware of the health risks and cruelty issues : involved in these events and ask that they discontinue such events. You : might also wish to let them know that sponsors may be held legally liable : for illnesses caused by these careless events. Contact HSUS at (301) : 258-3143 or mjacmenovic@hsus.org for more info.

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