This bacteria is able to induce disease in humans and animals and is not only transmitted by reptiles, but may also be transmitted by farm animals through eggs or meat. Every year there are millions of infections worldwide resulting in thousands of deaths. In the United States (US), the Center of Disease Control (CDC) estimates that 7% of he 93.000 human cases are the result of a reptile or amphibian encounter or contact. The same center estimates that 3% of homes have a reptile in the household.

In humans salmonellosis causes fever, abdominal cramps and diarrhoea; this may progress to a more severe form affecting blood, bone marrow and nervous system. Salmonella sp. may be excreted through faeces of reptiles that appear to be healthy. People may become infected upon ingestion of Salmonella sp. after close contact with a reptile (direct faecal-oral transmission) or contaminated objects or fomites. 

Although there is a risk of becoming infected with Salmonella there are other more likely sources where a human can be infected. In 2011 an article published in Clinicians Brief authored by an American and European specialist in Herpetology stated that you are more likely to become infected with Salmonella sp. through ingestion of pork meat, eggs or peanut butter than reptiles.

In the US the sale of turtles (equivalent to (aquatic) terrapins in the UK) under 4 inches (10cm) was prohibited due to high numbers of children putting small turtles in their mouths. High numbers of turtles from farms and wild caught specimens were imported from the US to Europe and over a three year period (2002-2005), 3.8 million turtles were exported from the US. In 1975 the Food and drug administration (FDA) banned interstate shipments of turtles under 4 inches due to the fact there were over 280000 cases per year. In 1997 the European Union banned the import of Red Eared Sliders (Trachemys scripta elegans) but following this ban imports of other species continued including yellow Bellied Sliders (Trachemys scripta scripta) and other North American species.

Salmonella species are a frequent inhabitant of the reptile gut and may be intermittently shed. False negatives are therefore a problem in reptiles making asymptomatic carrier detection a challenge. This means that a reptile may test negative but actually is carrying the bacteria. 

Good hygiene practices should be followed with all reptiles and routine testing is not advised (references: Centers of Disease Control (CDC), Association of Reptile and Amphibian Veterinarians (ARAV) - see below).

CDC - https://www.cdc.gov/healthypets/pets/reptiles.html

ARAV - https://arav.org/salmonella-reptiles-amphibians-veterinary-guidelines/

Treatment of asymptomatic carriers with antibiotics has proved to be ineffective and sick reptiles with clinical salmonellosis euthanasia should be considered. This may be a challenge for the clinician as the reptile may be positive for Salmonella but may have another disease process undiagnosed. Reptiles with salmonellosis may be septic meaning that the bacteria may be found in other organs including the blood (septic).

In exotics veterinary medicine the use of fluoroquinolones (i.e. Enrofloxacin) is widely criticised and should be seriously considered before treating and exotic pet, as these drugs are used to treat salmonellosis in humans and may also contribute to antimicrobial resistance. Enrofloxacin is a commonly used drug and perhaps should be used as in canine and feline medicine, as a second line antibiotic after culture and sensitivity tests have been performed. 

ARAV - https://arav.org/salmonella-reptiles-amphibians-veterinary-guidelines/

Optimal husbandry conditions will contribute to a strong immune system and reduce the shedding of Salmonella through the faeces. It is the responsibility of the reptile keeper to provide the optimal conditions in the vivaria for the species in question. These conditions are dependant on the species needs and may include provision of ultraviolet A and B spectrum, thermal gradient, basking area, adequate hides and substrate. Optimal husbandry will ultimately reduce stress and therefore enhance the immune system. In cases where husbandry is deficient there is an increased risk of shedding Salmonella and causing other health problems including overgrowth of parasites or metabolic disease.

The CDC recommends the following:

"Reptiles are not kept in households with children under five years of age. The elderly or immunosuppressed individuals should also avoid exposure to reptiles."

"A veterinarian will not be able to prevent your reptile or amphibian from shedding Salmonella because Salmonella is a normal bacteria found in healthy reptiles and amphibians."

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