Following a Salmonella outbreak in 11 states that has led to 15 illnesses and five hospitalizations, the U.S. Centers for disease Control and Prevention warned people not to buy tiny turtles.
“Many people in this outbreak purchased small turtles online before getting sick,” said the CDC in an investigation notice. “Do not buy small turtles with shells less than 4 inches long.”
In fact, a federal law bans the sale of these miniature turtles as pets, since they have been known to cause Salmonella bacteria outbreaks. However, they are sometimes found online and in-person at stores, flea markets and roadside stands.
In the case of the recent outbreak, three customers bought the small turtles from an online vendor called myturtlestore.com.
Impacted states include: Florida, Iowa, Kansas, Massachusetts, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia and Washington.
“The same strain of Salmonella making people sick in this outbreak was also found on turtles purchased from myturtlestore.com,” said the CDC. Turtles of any size can carry Salmonella germs in their droppings, even if they appear to be healthy and clean, the centers explained. These germs can be found in their bodies, tank water and places where they live and roam.
“You can get sick from touching your turtle or anything in its environment and then touching your mouth or food with unwashed hands and swallowing Salmonella germs,” the CDC cautioned.
People who are looking to buy a turtle should make sure their pet is more than 4 inches long and that it is from a reputable pet store. The CDC does not recommend turtles for children younger than 5 years old, adults over 65 years old, or people with weakened immune systems.
Pet turtle owners should be careful to wash their hands with soap and water before and after handling their turtle and being in contact with the turtle environment. Turtles should not be kissed or snuggled and those with turtles as pets should not eat or drink around them.
Furthermore, turtles should not be stored in kitchens and turtle supplies should be cleaned outside, if possible.
Symptoms of Salmonella exposure include: diarrhea, especially for more than three days without improvement or with blood; a fever higher than 102°F; severe vomiting where liquids can not be kept down; infrequent urination; dry mouth and throat and feeling dizzy when standing up.
These symptoms usually start six hours to six days after swallowing the bacteria. Most people recover without treatment after four to seven days.
Related
Related
