Quote Originally Posted by kc261
I thought the risk of salmonella was actually quite low as long as you followed simple hygiene stuff? Wash hands after touching the snake or its enclosure. Don't mix the snake's water bowl with human dishes. That kind of stuff.
Yes and No...there are 1000's of different forms of Salmonella (and not all have any effect on humans). I read a report once that said something like 90% of snakes (and other herps when swabbed) had Salmonella on them. But it stays in check with proper cleaning and care (as you outlined) anything that does come in contact with you your immune system can usually deal with.

But in the case of a pregnant woman or new born their immune systems are weakened so the likelihood of a bug taking hold is much much higher.