Investigation Update: Outbreak of Human Salmonella Typhimurium Infections Associated with Contact with Water Frogs

CDC is collaborating with public health officials in many states to investigate a multistate outbreak of human Salmonella serotype Typhimurium infections due to contact with water frogs including African Dwarf Frogs. Water frogs commonly live in aquariums or fish tanks. Amphibians such as frogs and reptiles such as turtles, are recognized as a source of human Salmonella infections.  In the course of routine assessment, a number of cases with the same strain have been identified over many months. As of 11:59pm EST on December 9, 2009, 50 individuals infected with the outbreak strain of Salmonella Typhimurium have been reported from 25 states.

ADVICE TO CONSUMERS

• Always wash hands thoroughly with soap and water after touching any amphibian (e.g., frog) or reptile (e.g, turtle), their housing, or anything (for example, food) that comes in contact with them or their housing.   Adults should assist young children with hand washing.  
• Watch for symptoms of Salmonella infection, such as diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps.  Call your health care provider if you or a family member have any of these symptoms.

Persons who should avoid contact with amphibians and reptiles and their habitats (e.g., aquarium, fish tank, or terrarium)

• Persons at increased risk for serious infection from salmonellosis are children < 5 years old, elderly persons, and persons with weakened immune systems.
• These persons should avoid contact with amphibians (e.g., frogs) and reptiles (e.g., turtles) and anything that comes in contact with them (e.g., aquarium, habitat, and water).
• Keep amphibians and reptiles out of homes with children < 5 years old or people with weakened immune systems.

Placement and maintenance of habitats

• Amphibians (e.g., frogs) and reptiles (e.g., turtles) should not be kept in child-care centers.
• Habitats containing amphibians or reptiles should not be kept in a child’s bedroom, especially children aged < 5 years.
• Do not allow amphibians or reptiles to roam freely through the house, especially in food preparation areas.
• Keep amphibians and reptiles out of kitchens and other areas where food and drink is prepared or served to prevent contamination.
• Habitats and their contents should be carefully cleaned outside of the home. Use disposable gloves when cleaning and do not dispose of water in sinks used for food preparation or for obtaining drinking water.
• Do not bathe animals or their habitats in your kitchen sink. If bathtubs are used for these purposes, they should be thoroughly cleaned afterward. Use bleach to disinfect a tub or other place where reptile or amphibian habitats are cleaned.
• Children aged <5 years should not clean habitats.

• Always wash hands thoroughly with soap and water after cleaning habitats.

LEARN MORE

To learn more about the outbreak, read the complete update on the CDC Salmonella website. To learn about other recent outbreaks and incidents, visit the CDC Recent Outbreaks and Incidents page.

 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) · 1600 Clifton Rd · Atlanta GA 30333 · 800-CDC-INFO (800-232-4636)

That said, most folks don’t really know HOW to wash their hands – here’s a step-by-step guide.  It doesn’t take any longer than the way you’re doing it now, it just gets you better results.  Also, for LA residents, what with the drought and all, some modifications can be made as long as you really scrub your hands and rinse them thoroughly

1. Wet hands with warm running water
2. Apply soap
3. Rub hands together for at least 20 seconds, including between your fingers and under fingernails (if you’re at home have a nail brush handy, if not do the best you can)
4. Rinse hands thoroughly under warm running water
5. Dry hands, dispose of towel

When should you wash your hands?

1. Before preparing food, eating or drinking
2. Before and after touching your body (including rubbing your eyes, scratching that mosquito bite or blowing your nose)
3. Before and after changing bandages
4. After using the restroom (before too if your job or hobbies get your hands dodgy)
5. If you don’t wear rubber gloves while doing them, after you do your household chores, especially cleaning the bathroom, changing the bedding and doing laundry
6. After coughing or sneezing

What about hand sanitizers?  Yes, good idea to have around as long as they’re a high quality, alcohol based product.  Personally, since I’m using them all day, I prefer EO brand with their organic alcohol and jojoba.  But any quality product will do the trick.

Wash with hand sanitizers the same way you do with soap and water.  Put enough in your hands that you can coat all surfaces of your hands with product, then rub your hands briskly for 20 seconds, including between the fingers and under nails.  If you end up with too much, wipe your hands with a clean paper towel.

So what’s all the fuss about?  The fuss is that most people have no idea how long 20 seconds is, and most germs are pretty tough.  The friction and the soap or hand sanitizer are used to break the cell wall of the germ.  It’s not enough for your hands to look clean, you need them to really BE clean or you won’t be protecting yourself.

Be your own best advocate.  Anytime you go to a health professional or body care professional make sure the people working on you wash their hands before they touch you.  And, of course, if someone is giving you a manicure or pedicure, make sure they’re using clean instruments.