"Salmonella" is a bacterium that occurs mainly in the intestines of humans and animals. There are several different kinds of salmonella bacterium.
"Salmonellosis" is an illness caused by an infection of salmonella bacterium. It is characterized by symptoms of diarrhea, fever and stomach pain.
We've been asked about salmonella many times, by many different customers. Although there do seem to be some reptiles that are more likely candidates for carrying the bacteria (e.g., aquatic turtles and iguanas) - the two of us have kept reptiles and amphibians for many years, and we’ve never contracted Salmonellosis. In fact, we’ve never even KNOWN anyone who’s gotten it. One would think that if Salmonellosis is as easily contracted as the Centers for Disease Control would have us believe, cases would be relatively common. In fact, they’re not.
Routine hand washing and common-sense attention to cleanliness have kept us out of harm’s way. We believe they'll work for you, too.
And on a final note, this is what the Association of Reptile and Amphibian Veterinarians has to say about it.