Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have read before that parasites from your reptiles can transfer to humans and cause chronic illness, etc (currently it says something like this on the parazap website). How real of a risk is this? what kind of damage can be done?

Just for precautions and curiousity's sake.

Thanks

most parasites are generaly "Host specific" and do not transfer from herps to humans etc... but I am sure some can.

but when reading about parasites one thing that may lead to this confusion is the use of "common names" that may refer to different version of the same parasite. like say "Round worm" there may be many kinds of "ROund WOrm" some that can infect humans and other Mammals but not a herp.

but something that can be a problem is an infection such as Salmonella a bacteria that can infect reptiles, birds and Mammals; it's not a parasite but can cross hosts.

does anyone know of any parasites that can transfer from any herps to mammals??
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none that I know of can cross
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Bennett

beardiedragon.com
Home of the Florida Orange

There are many parasites that can transfer from animals to humans. I am not sure if any of the common parasites in bearded dragons can. However it is always best to completely wash your hands after handling dragons (or any reptile/mammal), especially when cleaning their cages, picking up pop etc.
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PHLdyPayne

This is correct. Most though are between humans and another mammal though. Very few parasites go from reptile to human. Ones that CAN such as flukes or tapeworms have to be caught by INGESTING the host, that means eating Lizzy. If you plan on eating any reptile, I guess just make sure it's cooked, no raw snake everybody.

Other than that only other route of transmission would be fecal-oral. Hense, sanitation and hand washing.

You are 100% correct. Having just completed my 3rd semester of Veterinary school and just finished my Veterinary parasitology course I can say that there is actually very little chance of catching parasites from your reptiles. Especially bearded dragons. The Isospora aka coccidia and pin worms that Beardeds carry is 100% species specific. You would have to BE a bearded dragon to catch them.

There are a select few types of flukes or tapeworms that you COULD catch if you ATE your lizards. But again this would require your lizard to HAVE these parasites, which are very uncommon, and then you'd have to eat them.

There is a protozoan parasite that is often found in turtles but is asymptomatic that if transfered to a snake WILL KILL THE SNAKE. So if you have both turtles or torts and snakes, keep them appart and wash your hands well in between.

You're more at "danger" from the bacteria found in your reptile's GI system. There you'll find Salmonellas and E. coli that would be foreign to your system and could cause illness.

Common sense goes a long way though. Wash your hands after handling your reptile. DOn't eat them. Don't eat their poop. Don't kiss your reptile or lick it or stick it in your mouth. Don't let your reptile in your kitchen or your bathroom. And keep a clean cage. Cleaner cages mean less poop, less poop means less parasites and bacteria around.

BTW I am no way claiming to be an expert on parasites. I just find this information interesting and thought I should share it with you. Do not in any way take my advice or information here ABOVE that of your veterinarian.

Your herp veterinarian would be a great source of information involving parasites and animal-human transmission. IF you'd like more information I would suggest starting with them.

thanks, you have posted what I was 99% sure was the case.

and funny how somehting like e. coli takes on so many forms

one kind in a cow, another in a dragon, a third in a human gut but swap em between and you kill or make very sick the host that gets the wrong kind of e. coli
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