Which disease can reptiles spread to humans?

• A. Lyme disease
• B. Rabies
• C. Toxoplasmosis
• D. Salmonella

Answer: (D)

Reptiles can carry Salmonella bacteria in their gut and on their bodies, and they can shed it into their environment. Humans become infected mainly through handling the animal, its enclosure, or surfaces that have come into contact with reptile feces, especially if hands aren’t washed after contact. That’s why reptile ownership is a well-known source of Salmonella infections in people.

Lyme disease is transmitted by ticks, not reptiles, and rabies spreads through bites from infected mammals. Toxoplasmosis is most commonly associated with cats and contaminated soil or food, not reptiles. Since Salmonella is the pathogen reptiles are most commonly linked to in terms of human disease, it’s the correct association here.