TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taiwan's Centers for Disease Control (CDC, 衛生福利部疾病管制署) on Tuesday (June 25) issued a warning about the health risks associated with reptiles like geckos, which often harbor Salmonella in their digestive systems, posing risks even when the animals appear healthy. This alert followed an incident at Sushiro (壽司郎), where a customer placed his pet gecko in a soy sauce dish, sparking a public outcry and debate.
This is not the first instance of geckos being linked to infections; similar cases have been reported in Canada and the United States. After the Sushiro incident, which gained traction when the customer shared a photo on social media, the restaurant increased its sanitation efforts and is considering legal steps against the responsible parties.
Yuan Ze University (元智大學) confirmed that the student involved contacted Sushiro to discuss the matter further. CDC spokesperson Tseng Shu-hui (曾淑慧) highlighted the risks of infectious diseases from amphibians and reptiles, citing ailments such as Salmonella, E. coli, Cryptosporidiosis, Clostridium perfringens, and Campylobacteriosis.
Tseng referenced a recent report from Canada's Health Department (加拿大衛生部) about regional Salmonella outbreaks linked to geckos and a 2015 U.S. CDC report of Salmonella infections among pet gecko owners that affected 16 states and led to hospitalizations. The Taiwan CDC urges thorough handwashing after handling reptiles or their environments to prevent Salmonella spread.