ATLANTA, Geo. — Small turtles could be part of a growing outbreak of salmonella in the United States.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued an Investigation Notice saying, “Small turtles purchased online linked to Salmonella outbreak affecting children.” CDC’s investigation notice is posted: https://www.cdc.gov/salmonella/stanley-07-22/index.html.
The CDC says the salmonella infections so far involve 15 people “infected with the outbreak strain of Salmonella” reported in 11 states, with five people hospitalized and no deaths reported. CDC says many people in this outbreak are children.
It says, “The true number of sick people is likely higher than the number reported, and the outbreak may not be limited to the states with known illnesses. This is because some people recover without medical care and are not tested for Salmonella.”
The CDC says interviews with ill people, laboratory data, and purchase information show that small turtles (shells less than 4 inches long) are making people sick and, “Most people reported buying small turtles online. Half of the people who purchased their turtles online bought them from a website called myturtlestore.com, despite the federal law banning the sale of small turtles as pets.”
The CDC says most people infected with salmonella develop diarrhea, fever and stomach cramps six hours to six days after exposure to the bacteria with illness that commonly lasts four to seven days. It says most people recover without treatment, though for some people the illness can cause hospitalization. It says children younger than five years, adults 65 and older, and people with weakened immune systems are more likely to have severe illness.
The CDC says people should only buy turtles with shells longer than four inches, buy them from reputable pet stores or rescues, and stay healthy around pet turtles by always washing your hands after touching, feeding, or caring for a turtle. It also insists people not discard undesired turtles, suggesting outreach to a pet store or reptile rescue.
The CDC also says turtles are not recommended pets for children younger than five, adults aged 65 and older and people with weakened immune systems as they are more likely to get serious illness from germs turtles can carry.
