Re: Reptiles and Summer

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Posted by doug on June 21, 2001 at 00:45:07:

In Reply to: Reptiles and Summer posted by Samcin on June 20, 2001 at 16:57:32:

Relax, i am sick of all the hype about salmonella and diseas from reptiles. most people know to wash there hands after handling reptiles so quit trying to scare the public.

: 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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: Relax, i am sick of all the hype about salmonella and diseas from reptiles. most people know to wash there hands after handling reptiles so quit trying to scare the public. : : : 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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