Young children should not have exotic animals as pets because of the risk of disease, says a report by a U.S. group representing pediatricians.
And hamsters are among those making the no-own list, says the American Academy of Pediatrics.
About 11 per cent of salmonella illnesses in children are thought to stem from contact with lizards, turtles and other reptiles, said Dr. Larry Pickering, the report's lead author and an infectious disease specialist at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Hamsters also can carry this germ, which can cause severe diarrhea, fever and stomach cramps.
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And hamsters are among those making the no-own list, says the American Academy of Pediatrics.
About 11 per cent of salmonella illnesses in children are thought to stem from contact with lizards, turtles and other reptiles, said Dr. Larry Pickering, the report's lead author and an infectious disease specialist at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Hamsters also can carry this germ, which can cause severe diarrhea, fever and stomach cramps.
Full story
What do you think are the best pets for children? Tell us your stories.
More...