ABSTRACT

Purpose: An estimated 70,000 cases of human salmonellosis are attributed to contact with reptiles each year in the United States. In response to a reptile-associated outbreak of salmonellosis at a large metropolitan zoo in 1996, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) conducted a survey of American Zoo and Aquarium Association (AZA) institutional members to determine the knowledge, attitudes and practices of zoo and aquarium personnel regarding Salmonella and reptiles. Research design: This cross-sectional survey was conducted in 1996 via a 31-item, closed-ended questionnaire faxed to all AZA institutions. Results: Of the 176 institutions listed in the AZA directory, 123 (70%) responded. Of the 109 responding AZA institutions that met the survey inclusion criteria, 78 (72%) allowed direct contact between exhibit reptiles and patrons. While 62 (78%) of the institutions instructed patrons to wash their hands after reptile contact, 57 (52%) of the institutions did not have hand-washing facilities in the same building as the reptiles. More than 90% of the respondents were knowledgeable about the association between reptiles and salmonellosis. Conclusions: Zoos and aquariums should make hand-washing facilities easily accessible to patrons who have contact with reptiles. Information regarding reptile-associated salmonellosis should be shared with visitors. A repeat survey of AZA institutions would determine whether easily accessible hand-washing facilities have become more available following the zoo outbreak and subsequent recommendations by AZA and CDC for preventing reptile-associated salmonellosis.