Reptile-associated salmonellosis in preschool-aged children in Michigan, January 2001-June 2003.

OBJECTIVES: 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.