养乌龟青蛙先洗手：爬行和两栖宠物会带沙门氏菌，五岁以下孩子和长者最好别养
美国疾病控制与预防中心（CDC）提醒，蛇、蜥蜴、乌龟等爬行动物和青蛙、蟾蜍等两栖动物有时会携带能让人得病的病菌，症状从发烧到严重腹泻不等。这类宠物看起来干净健康也可能带菌，病菌会随粪便排出，沾在它们身上和栖息环境里的任何东西上，人摸过之后就可能被传染。
选宠物先看家里有谁。CDC 明确说，爬行和两栖动物不适合五岁以下儿童、65岁以上长者以及免疫力较弱的人，这几类人被宠物所带病菌严重感染的风险更高。还有一条写进规则的红线：壳长不足四英寸的小乌龟在美国禁止出售和饲养，因为它们特别容易引发沙门氏菌感染，孩子首当其冲。
日常防护的核心是洗手。摸过、喂过、照顾过这类宠物或清理过它们的栖息环境后，要马上用肥皂和水认真洗手，孩子洗手要有大人看着；一时没有肥皂和水，先用免洗洗手液，之后再补洗。
摆放和玩耍也有讲究：这类宠物不要进厨房和备餐、吃饭的地方，不要让它们在家里随意乱爬，不要亲吻、搂抱或贴脸，也不要在动物旁边吃喝。栖息箱和用品尽量在室外清洗，必须在室内洗的，用洗衣池或浴缸，洗完彻底清洁消毒。（来源：美国疾病控制与预防中心）
Wash Your Hands After That Turtle: Reptiles and Amphibians Carry Salmonella, and CDC Says They Are Not for Children Under 5
Reptiles such as snakes, lizards and turtles, and amphibians such as frogs and toads, can sometimes carry germs that make people sick, with illnesses ranging from fever to serious diarrhea, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) warns. The animals can carry germs even when they look healthy and clean; germs are shed in their droppings and contaminate their bodies and anything in their habitats, and spread to people who touch the animals or habitat items.
Choosing the right pet comes first. CDC says reptiles and amphibians are not recommended for children under 5 years old, adults over 65, or people with weakened immune systems, because they face a greater risk of serious illness. One rule is written into law: small turtles with a shell length under 4 inches are illegal to sell and own in the United States because they are likely to cause Salmonella infection, especially in children.
Handwashing is the core habit. Always wash hands thoroughly with soap and water right after touching, feeding or caring for these pets or cleaning their habitats, with adults supervising young children; if soap and water are not available, use hand sanitizer until a proper wash is possible.
Placement and play matter too: keep reptiles and amphibians out of kitchens and food areas, do not let them roam free in the home, do not kiss, snuggle or hold them close to the face, and do not eat or drink around them. Clean habitats and supplies outside the house when possible, or in a laundry sink or bathtub that is cleaned and disinfected right after. (Source: U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
来源：美国疾病控制与预防中心
发布：GSM·美国（发布链接）
图片来源：图：一只乌龟在水族箱中。Wikimedia Commons 图片（Public Domain）。 / Photo: A turtle at an aquarium. Image via Wikimedia Commons (public domain).
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