Exotic pets can pose risk to children, CDC warns
Exotic pets, such as turtles, lizards and snakes—and even less exotic creatures, such as be mice, gerbils and animals in petting zoos and pet stores—can transmit dangerous infections to children, the US Centers for Disease (CDC) and Prevention warns.
Reptiles, such turtles, lizards and snakes, can transmit Salmonella, the CDC warns; rodents, such as hamsters, rats, gerbils and guinea pigs, can transmit Salmonella, plague, and other infections, including one that can endanger a pregnancy, and goats, cows and other farm animals in petting zoos can carry E. coli and other diarrhea-causing germs.
The CDC urges parents “to talk to the family veterinarian or pediatrician to learn how to ensure that their child’s experience with animals is both safe and enjoyable.”
The CDC recommends:
- Children should wash hands thoroughly with soap and water after touching animals.
- Parents should supervise handwashing for children younger than five years of age.
- Never touch wild animals or bring them home as pets.
- Always supervise children, especially those younger than five, during interaction with animals.
- Children should not be allowed to kiss animals or put their hands or other objects in their mouth after handling animals.
- Pediatricians and veterinarians should advise parents about appropriate pet selection and how to avoid animal-transmitted illnesses.
- Family pets should be kept in good health and vaccinated appropriately.
- Parents should consult a pediatrician and/or veterinarian if a child is bitten by an animal.
To learn more:
- Visit the CDC’s Healthy Pets, Healthy People webpage, where you can browse by animal or disease to find information about health issues related to different kinds of pets.
- Read a clinical review in the October issue of the journal Pediatrics entitled Exposure to Nontraditional Pets at Home and to Animals in Public Settings: Risks to Children, which is available on the web for free.
- Visit the Seattle-King County Veterinary Medical Association.
Category: Child & Youth Health, Infections, Prevention, Safety
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