Current:Home > FinanceTurtle Salmonella outbreak? CDC warns the pets may be responsible as 11 states report cases -Horizon Finance School
Turtle Salmonella outbreak? CDC warns the pets may be responsible as 11 states report cases
View
Date:2025-04-13 10:14:06
When we think salmonella, we usually think food: that counter that didn’t get cleaned well enough after housing raw chicken or salad kit recalls for contaminated lettuce. While recent outbreaks have been linked to the usual suspects like raw beef and raw cookie dough, the Centers for Disease Control has revealed an unusual culprit for a current 11-state outbreak: pet turtles.
The CDC announced an active investigation into a multi-state outbreak that has sickened at least 26 and hospitalized 9 - cases which investigators linked to contact with small turtles.
Defined by the organization as turtles with shells measuring smaller than 4 inches long, the sale of small turtles is banned by federal law thanks to a high likelihood of carrying and spreading illness. Despite these laws, the turtles are still sold illegally in some pet and online stores, flea markets, reptile shows and roadside stands, said the CDC.
Ground beef outbreak:Salmonella outbreak linked to ground beef hospitalizes 6 people across 4 states
Current salmonella outbreak
The CDC is currently aware of 26 cases of salmonella disease linked to small turtles, nine of which required hospitalization.
Like with most outbreaks, the actual number of cases is likely higher than those recorded by health officials, as many people recover at home without testing and it generally takes three to four weeks to determine if a sick person is part of an outbreak.
In this outbreak, 31% of known cases are attributed to kids under the age of 5, as they are more susceptible to contracting illnesses from turtles and similar pets. Those who have gotten sick reported onset dates between Oct. 27, 2022, and July 16, 2023
Of the impacted people, 80% reported contact with pet turtles and 92% of those said their turtles were small or had a shell less than 4 inches in length. 64% of those people said they purchased their pets online, while 38% got them from a pet store.
Related cases were reported in 11 states, including:
- California
- Georgia
- Illinois
- Kentucky
- Missouri
- North Carolina
- New York
- Ohio
- Pennsylvania
- Tennessee
- Virginia
Tennessee is home to the most cases with six, followed by Pennsylvania with four and New York with three. All other states reported two or fewer.
Legionnaires' disease outbreak:California day spa linked to fatal Legionnaires' disease outbreak: What to know
Turtles and salmonella
While small turtles are more likely to carry salmonella, any size turtle comes with a risk, said the CDC. Even healthy, clean-looking turtles carry salmonella germs in their droppings, which can spread around their tanks, bodies, water and other areas where they hang out.
People can easily swallow these germs if they touch their mouths or food without washing their hands after coming in contact with their pet turtle or its environment.
Those interested in getting a turtle should ensure they are purchasing their new pet from a reputable source; credible pet suppliers will not sell turtles with shells shorter than four inches, in compliance with federal law.
Pet turtles of any size are not recommended for children under the age of 5, adults over the age of 65 or people who are immunocompromised or otherwise at increased risk for illness.
The CDC suggests the following safety tips when interacting with your pet turtle:
- Wash your hands thoroughly and ensure children properly wash with soap and water every time you touch or feed your turtle or clean its living area.
- Germs carried by the turtle reaching your mouth is the largest risk. Don’t kiss or snuggle your turtle, eat or drink around it or allow it in the kitchen or other areas in which food is present.
- When maintaining the cleanliness of your pet and its living quarter, keep a separate wash tub and sponge designated only for your turtle. If you use an area also used by humans in the house, such as a sink, ensure surrounding items are removed and thoroughly clean and disinfect the area afterwards.
- If your pet turtle doesn’t end up being a good fit for your family, do not release it outside. Instead, contact a local reptile rescue, animal shelter or reputable pet store to rehome it.
Symptoms of and treatment for salmonella disease
- Bloody diarrhea or diarrhea that lasts more than three days without improving.
- Diarrhea and a fever over 102 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Excessive vomiting, especially if it prevents you from keeping liquids down.
- Signs of dehydration, including dry mouth and throat, infrequent peeing and feeling dizzy when standing up.
- Stomach cramps
These symptoms most commonly occur between six hours and six days after exposure. Though most people recover in four to seven days, those with weakened immune systems, including children younger than 5 and adults over 65, may experience more severe symptoms that require medical treatment or hospitalization.
veryGood! (8817)
Related
- Federal Spending Freeze Could Have Widespread Impact on Environment, Emergency Management
- Jury selection resumes at fraud trial for FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried
- 'Made for this moment': Rookie star Royce Lewis snaps Twins' historic losing streak
- Idaho and Missouri shift to Republican presidential caucuses after lawmakers cancel primaries
- Could your smelly farts help science?
- Aaron Rodgers takes shot at Travis Kelce, calls Chiefs TE 'Mr. Pfizer' due to vaccine ads
- 'Scariest season ever': Controversy over 'Chucky' unfolds as Season 3 premieres
- Wisconsin Senate Republicans vote to reject commissioner who backed disputed top elections official
- Paige Bueckers vs. Hannah Hidalgo highlights women's basketball games to watch
- Hunter Biden pleads not guilty at arraignment on felony gun charges
Ranking
- Appeals court scraps Nasdaq boardroom diversity rules in latest DEI setback
- UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak rallies his Conservatives by saying he’s ready to take tough decisions
- See Jacob Elordi's Full Elvis Presley Transformation in New Priscilla Trailer
- Abercrombie & Fitch ex-CEO Mike Jeffries accused of exploiting men for sex through organized operation
- Trump suggestion that Egypt, Jordan absorb Palestinians from Gaza draws rejections, confusion
- All in: Drugmakers say yes, they'll negotiate with Medicare on price, so reluctantly
- Lawsuit: False arrest due to misuse of facial recognition technology
- 'A real tight-knit group:' Military unit mourns after 2 soldiers killed in Alaska vehicle crash
Recommendation
As Trump Enters Office, a Ripe Oil and Gas Target Appears: An Alabama National Forest
MATCHDAY: Defending champion Man City at Leipzig. Newcastle hosts PSG in Champions League
Man intentionally crashed into NJ police station while blaring Guns N' Roses, police say
Rachel Zegler Fiercely Defends Taylor Swift From Cruel Commentary Amid Travis Kelce Romance
Tree trimmer dead after getting caught in wood chipper at Florida town hall
Lady Gaga Will Not Have to Pay $500,000 to Woman Charged in Dog Theft
Proof Travis Kelce Is Fearless About Taylor Swift Fan Frenzy
Tracking the challenges facing Ukrainian grain, all the way from farm to table