CENTRE DAILY TIMES (State College, Pennsylvania) 06 February 06 State tells preschools: Geckos gotta go (Michelle Crouch)
New state rules this year banned reptiles such as lizards, turtles and snakes from licensed child-care centers across the state.
Now, the state Commission for Health Services is considering a similar ban on amphibians such as frogs. It will hold a public hearing on the change Tuesday in Raleigh.
The bans are designed to help prevent the spread of salmonella among young children. The bacteria, which is often carried by reptiles and amphibians, causes severe diarrhea, vomiting, fever, and stomach pain.
The animals are still allowed in secondary schools, said state epidemiologist Ed Norman. Infants and toddlers are especially susceptible to salmonella because of their hand-to-mouth activity, he said.
"Every time they touch an animal, they're supposed to wash their hands," he said, "but it's difficult for centers to keep that going."
Some teachers, however, say the state has gone too far.
Until last month, Annie Jones kept a gecko named Charlie in her classroom at a child-care center off Idlewild Road. Her 4-year-old students were not allowed to touch Charlie, she said, but they enjoyed watching him shed and eat crickets in his glass cage.
"The state is so concerned about kids getting sick that they're taking the fun out of education," she said.
Jones now keeps Charlie at her home. She said several students cried on Charlie's last day, and they were still talking about him last week.
"I just always thought we could keep him forever," said Izabellah Lester.
Madalynn Osborne, another student, was so upset she brought in her hamster, Buddy, to be the new class pet.
"I cried so much when Charlie had to go," Madalynn explained. "I brought Buddy in because we didn't have an animal. I thought we needed an animal."
Amphibian Proposal
The state Commission for Health Services is considering extending the ban to amphibians. The commission will take public comment until March 20 and vote May 15. A public hearing will be held at 1 p.m. Tuesday in the Parker Lincoln building, 2728 Capital Blvd., in Raleigh. Or you can e-mail comments to ed.norman@ncmail.net.
State tells preschools: Geckos gotta go