Outbreak of Salmonella Cases Linked to Pet Turtles Sparks CDC Warning
Health officials are urging pet owners to take precautions in preventing the spread of salmonella infections, as an outbreak across 11 states has been traced back to small turtles. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued safety instructions for individuals who own reptiles as pets, with a simple piece of advice: “Don’t kiss or snuggle your turtle.”
According to the CDC, 26 people have fallen ill in this recent salmonella outbreak, with at least nine requiring hospitalization. Thankfully, there have been no reported deaths so far. While all turtles can carry salmonella germs that can make people sick, the CDC has noted that turtles with shells less than four inches long have been a known source of illness. In fact, back in 1975, the Food and Drug Administration banned the sale of turtles under four inches in length due to the numerous severe illness cases reported at the time, particularly among children who had touched their pet turtles and subsequently touched their food or mouth without proper handwashing.
In light of this outbreak, health officials have provided several pointers for turtle owners and prospective buyers. These include refraining from buying turtles for children under the age of 5 or adults over the age of 65, washing hands thoroughly after handling a turtle, and avoiding eating or drinking around the reptile.
The CDC revealed that approximately one-third of those affected in the current outbreak are children under 5 years old. Among the 20 infected individuals who provided information to the CDC, 16 reported contact with pet turtles, with 12 confirming that their turtles had shells shorter than four inches.
Salmonella, a type of bacteria, causes an estimated 1.35 million illnesses, 26,500 hospitalizations, and 420 deaths in the United States annually, according to the CDC. Symptoms of salmonellosis, the infection caused by salmonella, typically include diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps. More severe cases may involve high fever, body aches, headaches, lethargy, rashes, blood in urine or stool, and in some instances, fatality.
This is not the first time that animal-related salmonella outbreaks have occurred, prompting warnings about close contact with pets. In 2019, there was an outbreak linked to hedgehogs, leading health officials to advise against kissing the small spikey creatures. A salmonella outbreak connected to backyard poultry also occurred in 2021, resulting in warnings to avoid cuddling ducks and chickens. Similar salmonella warnings were issued in 2014 regarding bearded dragons.
Even dog owners aren’t entirely safe from cuddling dangers. Some bacteria in dogs’ mouths are zoonotic, meaning they can be transmitted to humans and cause diseases, including salmonella.
Feline lovers may also face potential risks. The Cornell Feline Health Center has reported that people can contract salmonella from infected cats, particularly those that consume raw meat and pass the bacteria in their stool. Wearing gloves when cleaning litter boxes is strongly recommended by the center.
As the current salmonella outbreak serves as a reminder, proper precautions should always be taken when it comes to handling and interacting with pets to safeguard against the transmission of harmful bacteria.