Small turtles are being blamed for a Salmonella outbreak in the U.S., according to a notice by the CDC on Friday.
The notice says that the CDC has received over 50 reports of Salmonella cases linked to these small turtles, which have shells under 4 inches long.
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Nearly half of these cases involved people being hospitalized, and over half of the Salmonella cases involved children under 5 years old, the CDC explained.
Florida saw the highest number of cases nationwide, though cases have been reported in as many as 20 other states.
| State | Number of Cases |
|---|---|
| Florida | 7 |
| California | 6 |
| New York | 6 |
| Georgia | 4 |
| New Jersey | 3 |
| Tennessee | 3 |
| Virginia | 3 |
| Illinois | 2 |
| Indiana | 2 |
| Maryland | 2 |
| Ohio | 2 |
| Pennsylvania | 2 |
| Alabama | 1 |
| Colorado | 1 |
| Connecticut | 1 |
| Kentucky | 1 |
| Massachusetts | 1 |
| Michigan | 1 |
| North Carolina | 1 |
| New Mexico | 1 |
| Alaska | 1 |
“A federal law bans the sale and distribution of turtles with shells less than 4 inches long as pets because of the repeated illnesses and outbreaks,” the notice reads. “Despite the ban, some online retailers, pet stores and roadside markets continue to sell small turtles.”
According to the CDC, most people infected with Salmonella develop symptoms like diarrhea, fever, and stomach cramps within six hours to six days after exposure.
Typically, the illness lasts around four-to-seven days, with most people recovering without the need for treatment. But children, adults aged 65 years and over, and people with weak immune systems are more likely to suffer severe illness with Salmonella.
To avoid Salmonella exposure via small turtles, the CDC provided the following tips:
- Only buy turtles with shells longer than 4 inches, and get them from reputable pet stores or rescues.
- Stay healthy around your pet turtle by always washing your hands after touching, feeding, or caring for your turtle. Help young children wash their hands properly.
- Don’t release your turtle into the wild if you decide you no longer want it. Instead, reach out to your local pet store or reptile rescue.
- Pick the right pet for your family. Pet turtles are not recommended for children younger than 5, adults aged 65 and older, and people with weakened immune systems, as they are more likely to get a serious illness from germs that turtles can carry.
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