Zoonotic diseases are those that can be passed from animal to animal--thus from your pets to you. Salmonella, toxoplasmosis, Lyme disease, rabies, and bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE, better known as "mad cow disease") are some of the most publicized zoonoses. Knowing that there is the possibility of becoming infected with a zoonoses is half the battle. Being smart about the steps you take to reduce the risk to you, your families, students and others you--and your pets--come into contact with is the other half. The articles here will help you find out what you need to know to best take care of, and make the best decisions, for your pets--and humans. Please note that I am using the term pets rather than reptiles or herps for a reason: all animals, including dogs, cats, parrots, rabbits, etc., may carry one or more zoonotic organism. While the following articles were written and selected with herp keepers in mind, the precautions and concerns extend to all animals kept as pets or encountered when interacting with animals of all types in all situations. Pet owners and all parents, regardless of the types of pets they keep or their children come into contact with, must educate themselves. Physicians are not adequately trained to recognize, let alone treat, the hundreds of most common zoonotic diseases. Salmonella

"Today, there are more than 100 cases of reptile-associated salmonellosis reported annually in Los Angeles County. Human salmonellosis associated with lizards was not seen ten years ago. This increase in salmonellosis is due to the massive influx of green iguanas being imported from Central America. Iguana farms and wholesalers often use antibiotics to prevent disease in the lizards, thus increasing antibiotic resistant strains of salmonella. Iguanas are flown to the southern United States and distributed to wholesalers. To prevent human outbreaks and associated health care costs, regulations regarding these reptiles may be warranted, similar to the current regulation of pet turtles. (Title 17, Section 2612.1)." County of Los Angeles (California) Department of Public Health, Veterinary Public Health's Overview of Zoonoses. "The population attributable fraction for reptile or amphibian contact was 6% for all sporadic Salmonella infections and 11% among persons <21 years old. These data suggest that reptile and amphibian exposure is associated with approximately 74,000 Salmonella infections annually in the United States." Reptiles, amphibians, and human Salmonella infection: a population-based, case-control study. Clin Infect Dis. 2004 Apr 15;38 Suppl 3:S253-61