What is salmonellosis?
Salmonellosis (sal-mohn-el-OH-sis) is a bacterial disease. Many different kinds of Salmonella can make people sick. Most people have diarrhea, fever, and stomach pain that start 1 to 3 days after they get infected.
Can animals transmit salmonellosis to me?
Yes, many kinds of animals can pass salmonellosis to people. Usually, people get salmonellosis by eating contaminated food, such as chicken or eggs. However, animals can carry Salmonella and pass it in their feces (stool). Therefore, people can also get salmonellosis if they do not wash their hands after touching the feces of animals. Reptiles (lizards, snakes, and turtles), amphibians (salamanders, newts, frogs, toads), baby chicks, and ducklings are especially likely to pass salmonellosis to people. Dogs, cats, birds (including pet birds), horses, and farm animals can also pass Salmonella in their feces.
How can I protect myself from salmonellosis?
After contact with animal feces (stool), wash your hands with soap and running water.
- Wash your hands with soap and running water after touching reptiles or any objects and surfaces that a reptile has also touched.
- If you have a compromised immune system, avoid contact with reptiles, baby chicks, and ducklings.
- If you have a compromised immune system, be extra cautious when visiting farms and contacting farm animals, including animals at petting zoos.
Learn more about what germs your pets and other animals can carry by visiting http://www.cdc.gov/healthypets.
