exotic animals: disease
Aside from the welfare concerns about exotic animals, there is the issue of disease. Many exotic species can harbour and spread disease. For example, most reptiles carry salmonella, which can be contracted by humans through direct or indirect contact. The US Centers for Disease Control (CDC) estimates that 74,000 cases of salmonellosis per year are associated with exposure to reptiles or amphibians, which makes this a significant public health concern. The CDC also notes that children are at greatest risk from reptile associated Salmonellosis.
Another concern is the threat of disease from imported exotic species. In 2003, a shipment of Gambian rats from Africa introduced the potentially fatal disease Monkeypox into North America. The rats, intended for the pet trade, infected prairie dogs (also sold as pets) and the disease spread to humans. Other diseases, such as SARS, West Nile virus and avian flu, have originated in wild animals and jumped to humans. Research has shown that importing wild animals through the exotic pet trade can pose a serious threat to public and animal health in Canada. VHS has published a report on this research and submitted it to the federal government.
