Tiny turtles causing salmonella in young kids

MADISON, Wis. -- The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced Friday a multi-state outbreak of salmonella infections linked to small turtles.

The CDC said pet turtles can carry salmonella germs in their droppings, even if they look healthy and clean. This risk increases with small turtles, which is why a federal law bans their sale and distribution as pets, as they have caused many illnesses in young children. Despite the ban, these turtles are sometimes still sold illegally online, at stores, flea markets, and roadside stands.

Young children frequently touch their mouth, nose, and eyes with dirty hands, which the CDC said is how the virus spreads: You can get sick from touching a turtle -- or anything in its environment -- and then touching your mouth or food with unwashed hands and swallowing s almonella germs. For this specific outbreak, the CDC said 27 infected kids were under the age of five.

The CDC said the outbreak has spread across 21 states, with 48% of infected people needing hospitalization. No deaths have occurred. Most people infected with s almonella experience diarrhea, fever, and stomach cramps, but these symptoms can be more severe in young children.

If you are thinking of getting a pet turtle, the CDC recommended only buying turtles with shells longer than four inches from a reputable pet store. Pet turtles are not recommended for children younger than five, senior citizens, or immunocompromised people.

When interacting with a pet turtle, the CDC said it is important to wash your hands after touching or feeding it, avoid kissing or snuggling the turtle, keep it out of areas where you eat, store, or prepare food, and disinfect all sinks or tubs used for washing the turtle.

If you decide a pet turtle is no longer the right fit for you or your family, the CDC advises against releasing it back into the wild. Not only is this illegal in some states, but it can also disrupt local wildlife. Instead, call your local reptile rescue, animal shelter, or pet store about options for safely rehoming your turtle.

If you have questions about salmonella cases in a particular state, contact that state’s health department.

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