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Family Pet Could Be Dangerous To Children, Pregnant Women

POSTED: 6:27 am EDT May 19, 2005

BALTIMORE -- Some lizards kept as family pets can cause a devastating illness -- 70,000 people get salmonella from them each year.

According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, lizards -- more specifically, uromastyx -- can test positive for salmonella. For families with children under 5, salmonella can have far-reaching results, including meningitis.

For public health reasons, Maryland law regarding the sale and distribution of reptiles is very specific. However, Baltimore television station WBAL found a lack of compliance on the part of retail operations, both big and small.

The station took a hidden camera into stores looking for a warning notice, which is supposed to be posted within 3 feet of each display of reptiles, in accordance with Maryland regulations.

The notice warns of salmonella, with a special caution for pregnant women, people with serious health problems or children under 5. Sellers are also required to give a copy of the notice to the purchaser of a reptile or have the customer sign a ledger stating that they have read the document.

In April, a Petco store in Owings Mills, Md., had no caution signs at all, and the employee handling the reptile the station attempted to buy was visibly pregnant. The station alerted Animal Control in Baltimore County, where Petco and some of the other stores were located, and told them specifically about the pregnant employee

A spokesman for Petco said he wasn't sure why the warnings were not posted in its Owings Mills store, but it has now reinforced the law with all 740 of its stores nationwide. The company also said the pregnant employee had spoken with her doctor, who gave her permission to handle the reptiles.

A salmonella expert said pregnant women should be very cautious, but the most serious warnings are about young children. For anyone handling these animals, proper handwashing is vital.

Reptiles that produce salmonella include lizards, snakes and turtles.