Salmonellosis

In the article, "Reptile-Associated Salmonellosis--Selected States, 1996-1998," several errors occurred. In the Wisconsin case on page 1010, the case-patient was a girl. In the first sentence of the fourth bullet in the box on page 1012, first sentence should read "Pet reptiles should be kept out of households where children aged [less than]5 years or immunocompromised persons live." The corrected box is reprinted below.

Recommendations for Preventing Transmission of Salmonella from Reptiles to Humans

* Pet store owners, veterinarians, and pediatricians should provide information to owners and potential purchasers of reptiles about the risk for acquiring salmonellosis from reptiles.

* Persons should always wash their hands thoroughly with soap and water after handling reptiles or reptile cages.

* Persons at increased risk for infection or serious complications of salmonellosis (e.g., children aged [less than]5 years and immunocompromised persons) should avoid contact with reptiles.

* Pet reptiles should be kept out of households where children aged [less than]5 years or immunocompromised persons live. Families expecting a new child should remove the pet reptile from the home before the infant arrives.

* Pet reptiles should not be kept in child care centers.

* Pet reptiles should not be allowed to roam freely throughout the home or living area.

* Pet reptiles should be kept out of kitchens and other food-preparation areas to prevent contamination. Kitchen sinks should not be used to bathe reptiles or to wash their dishes, cages, or aquariums. If bathtubs are used for these purposes, they should be cleaned thoroughly and disinfected with bleach.

COPYRIGHT 1999 U.S. Government Printing Office
COPYRIGHT 2004 Gale Group