New Study Suggests Some Pets May Put Kids at Risk for Disease

So junior has a pet turtle and you have just read the news article about exotic pets posing health risks for kids. What should you do? Junior loves little Terrence, yet you sure do not wish to see him get sick. Are exotic pets really that dangerous? Can a family have an exotic pet and protect themselves so as to not get sick? Let's look at both sides of the water bowl and find out.

The Problem

The news story in question stems from a report lead by Dr. Larry Pickering of Emory University Medical School in Atlanta, published in the October issue of Paediatrics. Pickering mentions salmonella as the main infectious disease. Salmonella can be spread through contact with turtles, lizards, baby chicks , and even hamsters. The spread comes as a young child kisses the animal, or places their fingers in their mouths after handling the animal. Salmonella can cause fever, severe diarrhea, and stomach cramps. The younger the child the more serious each of these symptoms may be. It is estimated that 11% of salmonella cases in children originate through contact with these animals.

Hedgehogs also are mentioned in the report. It states hedgehog quills can penetrate skin and spread a bacteria responsible for stomach pain, rashes, and fever.

In one of the worst cases, monkey-pox effected 20 people in the Midwest. It was spread by imported Gambian Pouched Rats.

There Is Hope Pet Owners

In response to the published report the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), has released a statement stressing ways to reduce the potential risk of disease. In a word, hygiene. By practicing good hygiene habits for both themselves and their pets people can greatly reduce this risk.

Zoonotic diseases are those which can be spread from animals to humans. They include rabies, toxoplasmosis from cat litter boxes, dog roundworms, and salmonella. How do you stop or prevent these diseases?