Iguanas’ Popularity Brings Increase In Salmonella Cases

Cases of salmonella linked to iguanas have risen sharply along with the reptiles’ popularity as pets.

The number of iguana-linked salmonella infections in people has climbed from one reported case in 1989 to 67 in 1995, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported in the March issue of the journal Pediatrics.

Salmonella can lead to meningitis and other serious complications, especially in infants. In October 1995, a 3-year-old Indiana boy died of salmonella apparently caused by his family’s iguana.

The number of iguanas imported into the United States climbed from 41,183 in 1982 to 569,774 in 1994. The lizards are native to South America.

The researchers studied 32 cases of iguana-linked salmonella reported in 1994. Twenty-six of the cases were in infants. All but one had diarrhea, a common symptom of salmonella, which also can cause abdominal cramps and fever. Eleven were hospitalized for an average of 3-1/2 days.

The researchers said pediatricians, veterinarians and pet store owners should warn their patients and customers of the risks and teach them precautions such as washing their hands after touching iguanas and keeping the reptiles away from places where food is prepared.