Texas Administrative Code › Title 25 - HEALTH SERVICES › Part 1 - DEPARTMENT OF STATE HEALTH SERVICES › Chapter 169 - ZOONOSIS CONTROL › Subchapter F - REPTILE-ASSOCIATED SALMONELLOSIS › Section 169.121 - Reptile-Associated Salmonellosis

Current through Reg. 49, No. 28; July 12, 2024
(a)
				  The Texas Health and Safety Code, §
										81.352,
				  requires retail stores that sell reptiles to post warning signs and distribute
				  written warnings regarding reptile-associated salmonellosis to purchasers in
				  accordance with the form and content designated by the Executive
				  Commissioner.
(b) The warning signs
				  must meet the following guidelines.
(1) The
				  sign must be a minimum of 8.5 x 11 inches with fonts that are clearly visible
				  and readily draw attention to the notice.
(2) The signs must be prominently displayed
				  at each location where reptiles are displayed, housed, or held.
(3) At a minimum, the contents of the sign
				  must include the following recommendations for preventing transmission of
Salmonella
from reptiles to humans.
(A) Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and
				  running water after feeding reptiles, handling reptiles or reptile cages, or
				  contacting reptile feces or the water from reptile containers or aquariums. If
				  soap and water are not immediately available, use a hand sanitizer and then
				  wash your hands with soap and water as soon as possible. Wash your hands before
				  you touch your mouth and before you prepare, serve, or consume food or drinks.
				  Adults should supervise hand washing for young children.
(B) Avoid contact with reptiles and any items
				  that have been in contact with reptiles if you are a person at increased risk
				  for infection or serious complications of salmonellosis, which, for instance,
				  includes children younger than 5 years of age, adults aged 65 or older, and
				  persons whose immune systems have been weakened by pregnancy, disease (for
				  example, cancer), or certain medical treatments or procedures (for example,
				  chemotherapy or organ transplantations). Keep reptiles out of households or
				  facilities that include such at-risk persons. Consider removing any reptile
				  from your residence and relocating it to a new home before a newborn baby is
				  added to the household.
(C) Do not
				  allow reptiles to roam freely throughout the home or living area. Wash and
				  disinfect surfaces that a reptile or its cage has contacted. Wash any clothing
				  that a reptile has contacted.
(D)
				  Keep reptiles out of kitchens and other areas where food or drink is stored,
				  prepared, served, or consumed. Do not use kitchen sinks to bathe reptiles or to
				  wash their dishes, cages, or aquariums. If bathtubs are used for these
				  purposes, clean them thoroughly and disinfect them with bleach. It is
				  preferable to bathe reptiles in a container (such as a small tub or bin)
				  designated for this use and to clean bathing containers, dishes, cages, or
				  aquariums outside the house in a manner that prevents contact of the discarded
				  material with other people and pets. Wear disposable gloves when washing
				  bathing containers, dishes, cages, or aquariums. Wash your hands after removing
				  the gloves.
(4) The sign
				  must also contain a statement that reptiles carry
Salmonella
bacteria, which can make people sick, but reptiles may not appear to be
				  sick.