i think i have something to share here...

i visit the munich reptile sanctuary every now and then, its very good. and the tours are very educational.

and the experts there (im talking one universitary professor for veterinary medicine with expert knowledge on reptiles, a few professional veterinarians, most of them specialized in reptiles, a few vet students and other volunteers)... anyway when they do a tour they go out of their way to shatter this myth.

they have hundreds of reptiles, sometimes close to 1000, covering all species, they get in plenty of sick reptiles, and its several people in daily contact with reptiles. they get entire shipments of wild caught reptiles that got ceised at the border, rescues in bad condition, everything you can imagine.

and none of the employees got salmonella from any reptile. never happened. not once in all these years.

i rest my case. if a sanctuary of this caliber says it doesnt happen, then i dont believe it happens.