Reptile-associated salmonellosis in residents in the south east of Ireland 2005 - 2007

Salmonella can be spread through contaminated food, person-to-person transmission, waterborne transmission and numerous environmental and animal exposures. Reptiles (e.g. turtles, lizards, snakes, tortoises, terrapins) serve as reservoirs of Salmonella and can shed Salmonella organisms in faecal material. Over 2,460 serotypes of Salmonella have been identified and many serotypes have been associated with reptiles.