What illnesses if any could be contracted from BP's?

[BostonMacK]

Seeing I have a 20 month old little boy I figure this is a good question. Is there anything (illnesses) that we as ball python owners need to watch out for and if so how can they be avoided?

Thanks a million for any feedback on this.

~Jason

[jglass38]

Salmonella is pretty much the only thing that I am aware of. Sanitary practices will all but eliminate this.

[wolfy-hound]

Just wondering if anyone has ever actually contracted salmonella from reptiles, or knows someone who did?
I hear that you can get it.. but haven't ever actually seen a case... or heard from anyone that definitely did.
Wolfy(wondering how actually common it really is)

[jglass38]

I would guess that it happens but not very frequently. And when it does happen, odds are that people don't associate it with the reptiles and chalk it up to the infamous "stomach virus". In healthy people it is not particularly dangerous and will pass in a couple days. Of course like any illness with children, the elderly and those who are immuno-compromised it can be deadly. I wash my hands before and after I touch any reptile. I keep anti bacterial gel in the snake room as well. Don't wash anything that has come in contact with reptiles in the same sink where you put your dishes. I got a "stomach virus" a couple months ago. I suppose it could have been Salmonella...

[lord jackel]

I would guess that everyone that has reptiles has gotten Salmanila (it is all over reptiles and very easy to get)...they were pry just asymptomatic. There are over 2200 different strains and not all cause the stomach issues most people associate it to. Infact most have no effect on us at all.

Just my guessing

[frankykeno]

Information from the CDC regarding salmonella.

http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dbmd/disea...h%20Salmonella

The most common way to get salmonella still remains improperly handled food. Quite honestly the most dangerous thing in your home is your kitchen cutting board and how you thaw, cook and store your food. It is important though to always encourage sanitary handling with reptiles. Good handwashing, sanitizing gel, that sort of thing just becomes second nature.

I had a younger sister end up with worms from our pet dog when I was a kid. Hence, we have a standing rule in our home (we have 4 kids). Nothing that can lick it's own butt should be kissing you!

[SatanicIntention]

And never walk barefoot in the backyard when your animal(who poops there) has hookworms.

[frankykeno]

Also if your toddler has access to an outside sandbox watch it like the very devil. Even if you don't have cats, neighbourhood wandering cats and other beasties will use it for a toileting spot.....yewww! A lot of small children get worms that way.