Turtles are frequently linked to Salmonella illnesses and should not be purchased as pets, health officials warn. Two Salmonella outbreaks linked to tiny pet turtles have sickened at least 51 people in 16 states, according to a report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Small turtles have long been associated with Salmonella infections, especially in children. For this reason, the sale of turtles with shells of less than four inches in length has been banned since 1974. Many of the case patients in these outbreaks reported buying the small turtles from street vendors. Unfortunately, children are disproportionately affected by Salmonella outbreaks linked to turtles. About half of the illnesses in these outbreaks affected children 5 and under. Epidemiologic … [Read more...]
2015 Food Poisoning Outbreaks from Pets
During 2015, there were seven multistate food poisoning outbreaks linked to contact with pets. All of them were Salmonella outbreaks. Here is a brief look at each one. Two of the outbreaks were linked to turtles and occurred at the same time. The Salmonella outbreaks linked to tiny pet turtles sickened 51 people in 16 states. About half of the illnesses, which were reported between January 22, 2015 and September 8, 2015, affected children 5 and under. Because small turtles have long been associated with Salmonella infections, especially in children, the sale of turtles with shells of less than four inches in length has been banned since 1974. Many of the case patients in this outbreak reported buying the small turtles from street vendors. A Salmonella outbreak linked to crested … [Read more...]
