| (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.
(c) The written warnings, such as fliers or pamphlets,
must contain the same information and statements as required in subsection
(b)(3)(A) - (D) and (4) of this section. The written warnings must
also contain a statement that purchasers of reptiles can contact their
local health department for questions pertaining to Salmonella.
(d) A sign or poster prepared by and containing the
approved logo of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention pertaining
to disease prevention of reptile-associated salmonellosis when handling
or housing reptiles may be used to meet the required content for the
warning sign; however, the written warning must still contain the
required content as described in subsection (b)(3)(A) - (D) and (4)
of this section, plus the local health department statement as described
in subsection (c) of this section. All signs and posters must meet
the guidelines set forth in subsection (b)(1) and (2) of this section.
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| Source Note: The provisions of this §169.121 adopted to be effective March 14, 2002, 27 TexReg 1797; amended to be effective September 14, 2006, 31 TexReg 7352; amended to be effective February 10, 2011, 36 TexReg 549; amended to be effective November 13, 2016, 41 TexReg 8823 |
