Across 11 states, 26 people have been infected with salmonella, and health officials say the infections may be coming from tiny friends inside the home.
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the salmonella outbreak has been traced back to pet turtles.
Overall nine people have been hospitalized as cases have sprouted in Tennessee (6), Pennsylvania (40, New York (3), Georgia (2), Illinois (2), North Carolina (2), Ohio (2), Virginia (2), California (1), Kentucky (1), and Missouri (1).
California’s case is the only one to pop up west of Missouri, as all other cases were reported in the eastern half of the country.
The CDC shared that the outbreak has been ongoing for some time, as the first cases of salmonella are believed to be connected to turtles and were first detected in October 2022. Since then, the CDC says there has been a new case reported nearly every month.
Salmonella is slower to identify, as the CDC says that after a person becomes ill, it can take up to four weeks to determine if they are part of an outbreak.
As for those who have become ill, the CDC shared that their average age is 14, and 31% of them are under the age of 5.
The Tennessee Department of Health has investigated samples from two turtles and their tanks, collected from a sick person’s home, and determined that they had salmonella “closely related to bacteria from sick people.”
Thirteen of those who have become ill reported buying turtles online, from stores, or a reptile show, but it is not clear how the turtles could be connected or if they are.
The CDC warns that turtles of any size can transfer the bacteria to humans, but those with shells smaller than 4 inches are more likely to do so, a common reason why they are illegal to be sold as pets.
“Reputable pet stores do not sell turtles with shells less than 4 inches long,” the CDC advised.
Those who own turtles are advised to wash their hands after touching and cleaning the pet and also not to eat around them, the CDC shared.
People with compromised immune systems are not advised to have a turtle in their home out of caution for the diseases they may carry.
As for the salmonella outbreak, the CDC says that common symptoms reported in those with salmonella infections include fever, stomach cramps, and diarrhea. For more information on salmonella, visit the CDC’s website here.
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