Tiny turtles have been linked to an outbreak of salmonella in nearly half of US states. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said last Friday that it had received 51 reports of salmonella from 21 states. The majority of those impacted lived in California, Florida, New York, and Georgia .
The agency said 23 individuals were hospitalized in the outbreak, which was linked to contact with small turtles. The illness is affecting young children, with 17 sickened who were under the age of five and ten under one. No deaths have been reported.
The CDC highlighted that a Food and Drug Administration law bans the sale and distribution of such turtles as pets due to repeated illnesses. Despite this law online retailers, pet stores, and roadside markets continue to sell the small turtles which have shells that are less than four inches long. The CDC recommends that Americans only buy turtles with shells longer than 4 inches , and make sure to purchase them from reputable rescues and pet stores.
People should make sure to wash their hands and help their children wash their hands after touching, feeding, and caring for turtles. The CDC also asks that people abstain from releasing turtles into the wild. Pet turtles of any size can carry salmonella germs in their poop, which can easily be spread.
Eating or drinking around them, snuggling, and kissing can make people sick. When washing turtles, either use a tub and equipment that are just for them. If using a laundry sink or ba.