At least 51 people have been sickened including 23 who have been hospitalized due to an outbreak of Salmonella from small turtles.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is investigating the outbreak that spans 21 states and involves turtles with shells less than 4 inches long.
Pet turtles of any size can carry Salmonella and sicken people who touch them or anything in their environment. Some pet stores, markets and online retailers continue to sell small turtles despite being banned by federal law due to these outbreaks.
Among those who have gotten sick in the current outbreak, 17 are under 5 years of age and 10 are under 1 year.
Symptoms of Salmonella illness include diarrhea, fever and stomach cramps. People should call their health care provider right away if they have diarrhea and fever above 102 degrees Fahrenheit, diarrhea for more than three days that is not improving, bloody diarrhea, so much vomiting they cannot keep liquids down or signs of dehydration.
The CDC made the following recommendations for people considering a pet turtle.
- Only buy turtles with shells longer than 4 inches and get them from a reputable pet store or rescue.
- Don’t get a pet turtle for children under 5 years, adults ages 65 and older and people with weakened immune systems as they are more likely to get a serious illness.
- Don’t release a turtle into the wild. Reach out to your local pet store or reptile rescue if you no longer want your turtle.
- Wash your hands thoroughly after touching or feeding the turtle or the area where it lives.
- Don’t kiss or snuggle your turtle or eat or drink around it.
- Wash the turtle’s tank and other items with a tub and sponge just used for that purpose.
Resource
