Reptile-associated salmonellosis in preschool-aged children in Michigan, January 2001-June 2003.
OBJECTIVE
Determine the incidence of reptile-associated salmonellosis in preschool-aged children in Michigan.


METHODS
Cases of reptile-associated salmonellosis in children < or =5 years of age occurring in Michigan January 2001-June 2003 were identified through review of individual patient case-history forms provided by local health departments to the Michigan Department of Community Health and by identification of Michigan Department of Community Health laboratory-confirmed cultures of reptile-associated serotypes, determined by evaluation of the Public Health Laboratory Information System's Clinical Nonhuman Salmonella data for 1990-2001.


RESULTS
The incidence of reptile-associated salmonellosis was 11.8% of all Salmonella cases reported in Michigan children aged < or =5 years for the period January 2001 through June 2003.


CONCLUSIONS
Despite the recommendations of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to avoid the exposure of children <5 years old to reptiles, reptile-associated salmonellosis in preschool-aged children continues to be a public health problem in Michigan.
Wells
Eden V
EV
University of Michigan School of Public Health, Preventive Medicine Residency, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA. ewells@umich.edu
Boulton
Matthew
M
Hall
William
W
Bidol
Sally A
SA
D000818:Animals; D002487:Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, U.S. / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D002675:Child, Preschool; D006801:Humans; D008824:Michigan / Q000453:epidemiology; D012104:Reptiles / Q000382:microbiology*; D012475:Salmonella / Q000302:isolation & purification; D012480:Salmonella Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D012481:Salmonella Infections, Animal / Q000635:transmission*; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology