Can iguana poop make you sick? What the South Florida experts say

Iguanas are becoming a growing health concern in South Florida, with doctors and residents warning that the invasive reptiles can spread salmonella through their droppings and even their bites. The issues have already sent some children to the hospital and pushed one South Florida father to rethink his career.

“He was just really off, and started having gastrointestinal issues and just violently ill,” recalled Stephen Dickenson, an iguana trapper, talking about his son.

Dickenson said his son jumped into their backyard pool after the family was on vacation, before they realized the chlorine was off and there was iguana poop everywhere. Then, his son got salmonella.

The illness pushed Dickenson to a career change. He became a professional iguana trapper, opening Method Iguana Services based in Pompano Beach.

“We want our kids to go out and have fun in the environment that they’re in, and we love all the old growth trees, but with the invasive iguanas coming in and then defecating onto the playground equipment, it’s just hand to mouth,” Dickenson said.

“It’s a major problem in South Florida with iguanas all over,” said Dr. Otto Ramos, director of the Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases at Nicklaus Children’s Hospital near South Miami.

Ramos said iguanas can carry salmonella in their feces and saliva.

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