Pet turtles blamed for multistate Salmonella outbreak
- 7 years ago
ATLANTA — Pet turtles are blamed for causing an outbreak of human Salmonella infections in 13 U.S. states.
Thirty-seven people from 13 states have been infected with Salmonella Agbeni linked with pet turtles. Sixteen people have been hospitalized but no deaths have been reported.
According to the CDC, all turtles can carry Salmonella bacteria even if they look healthy and clean. The bacteria can even end up in the water they swim in.
Kissing the pet turtles or place them near mouths can contaminate human bodies with the bacteria.
The FDA has banned selling and distributing turtles with shells less than 4 inches long as pets since 1975. The CDC also recommends that households with young children should not keep turtles or reptiles as pets.
Thirty-seven people from 13 states have been infected with Salmonella Agbeni linked with pet turtles. Sixteen people have been hospitalized but no deaths have been reported.
According to the CDC, all turtles can carry Salmonella bacteria even if they look healthy and clean. The bacteria can even end up in the water they swim in.
Kissing the pet turtles or place them near mouths can contaminate human bodies with the bacteria.
The FDA has banned selling and distributing turtles with shells less than 4 inches long as pets since 1975. The CDC also recommends that households with young children should not keep turtles or reptiles as pets.