Which statement describes how people can acquire Salmonella from poultry and reptiles?

Which statement describes how people can acquire Salmonella from poultry and reptiles?

• A. Infected reptiles can appear healthy and transmit Salmonella through close contact—such as kissing—, in small aquaria or unchlorinated pools, or via unwashed hands after handling.
• B. Salmonella is only transmitted by eating undercooked eggs.
• C. Transmission occurs exclusively through blood contact.
• D. Salmonella in reptiles is always symptomatic in the owner.

Answer: (A)

Salmonella can be acquired from poultry and reptiles through multiple routes that bring the bacteria from the animal or its environment to the mouth, even when the animal looks healthy. Reptiles often carry Salmonella without signs of illness, so people can pick it up through close contact, such as handling or kissing, or through contact with water in small aquariums or unchlorinated pools where the animals live. If hands aren’t washed after handling reptiles or their environment, or after touching contaminated water or surfaces, the bacteria can be ingested. This reflects why the statement about infected reptiles appearing healthy and transmitting Salmonella via close contact, in aquariums or unchlorinated water, or through unwashed hands after handling is the best description of how transmission occurs. It also clarifies that transmission isn’t limited to eggs, blood, or symptomatic cases in the person.

Salmonella can be acquired from poultry and reptiles through multiple routes that bring the bacteria from the animal or its environment to the mouth, even when the animal looks healthy. Reptiles often carry Salmonella without signs of illness, so people can pick it up through close contact, such as handling or kissing, or through contact with water in small aquariums or unchlorinated pools where the animals live. If hands aren’t washed after handling reptiles or their environment, or after touching contaminated water or surfaces, the bacteria can be ingested. This reflects why the statement about infected reptiles appearing healthy and transmitting Salmonella via close contact, in aquariums or unchlorinated water, or through unwashed hands after handling is the best description of how transmission occurs. It also clarifies that transmission isn’t limited to eggs, blood, or symptomatic cases in the person.