Canadian health officials are investigating a Salmonella outbreak associated with geckos. The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) has identified 25 patients. One person has died.
Three people have required hospitalization. The health agency reports that patients have ranged in age from 1 to 103. The most recent patient became ill in September.
“Reptiles like geckos can carry salmonella. You can get sick with salmonella by touching reptiles or their environments and then touching your face, eyes, or mouth before washing your hands,” the health agency said in a public warning. “You can also get sick by touching contaminated surfaces or objects in a home or within the exhibit where geckos are kept.
This can occur at birthday parties, schools, daycares, museums, science centers, zoos, or a traveling reptile show.” PHAC said people handling geckos should always wash their hands and “never kiss a pet reptile.” Previous outbreaks Federal health officials have closed two investigations into long-running salmonella outbreaks that led to more than 100 infections and one death.
The Salmonella outbreaks involved geckos, snakes, and rodents. Those outbreaks led to one death and more than 100 illnesses. The health agency said babies under one were among the cases, and seniors as old as 96.
The snake and rodent outbreak resulted in 76 confirmed cases of Salmonella. People became sick between February 2022 and April 2024. Whole genome sequencing of tests from sick people showed.
