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Pet Turtles Cause Record Salmonella Outbreak

by Robin Wallace

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BY CATEGORY:
BY PET:

January 28, 2008

SECAUCUS, N.J. – Pet turtles are the center of a salmonella outbreak. More than 100 cases have been reported in 33 states across the country since August.

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, this is the largest recorded outbreak of its kind. At least 24 of the 100 sickened people have been hospitalized.

Some have experienced severe symptoms such as acute kidney failure. But most suffered from bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramping, fever and vomiting.

Unfortunately, most of those cases were children, who became sick after coming in contact with the pet turtles.

Bred in crowded conditions, small turtles are prone to carrying the bacteria.

While the infected turtles were purchased at pet shops, flea markets or street vendors, the CDC is still investigating if the outbreak can be traced to a common turtle distributor or farm.

Officials advise that hands always should be washed after touching turtles. Parents should also carefully consider the purchase of small turtles as pets for children.

Although they might be the cutest of small turtles, the “mini turtles” have been prohibited from sale in the U.S since 1975. For more information on this issue, click on the link below.

Tell us what you think under this story. Post your favorite pet videos at the zootooTV tab. E-mail us your story ideas at news@zootoo.com or call us at 877-777-4204.



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health & science, alerts, reptiles

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Melinda M.
Melinda M. (mmadison)
1 year ago
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I had never heard this before. My nephew has a turtle. Handwashing is important!!
 
Sandy
Sandy (schnzermom)
1 year ago
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Anyone considering a pet should research it first...especially unusual ones such as a turtle...and cleaniness is very important not only for the animal but for the caretaker too.
 
Kim W.
Kim W. (Shelter2Many)
1 year ago
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I was not aware of this until a friend of mine told me. Her family has several turtles as pets, and she was telling me about it. One should do lots of research before getting any type of pet.
 
Bonnie w.
Bonnie w. (bonwish)
1 year ago
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parents need makes sure the children was there hand
 
Dana
Dana (dgh1984)
1 year ago
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I bought a turtle in a souvenoir shop in Myrtle Beach when I was a freshman in highschool. They were all in a 20 to 30 gallon tank crawling all over each other. I carried Myrtle all the way back to Texas, and he lived for 10 years. I believe he was one of the "mini turtles" since he never got bigger than 3 and 1/2 inches. We all know that turtles can carry salmonella and owners should wash your hands after handeling them and parents need to monitor them while they are playing with their pet turtles. Myrtle lived so long, because I researched and researched turtles to give him the best of care.
 
betty p.
betty p. (peytonplace2001)
1 year ago
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That is the key word. RESEARCH. Most folks don't research. So they don't know any different.
 
Carol M.
Carol M. (bncmicallef)
1 year ago
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I think it's important with any animal to wash your hands after handling them. I also believe that as with any other pet, turtles should be researched thoroughly before purchasing to make sure it's right for your family.
 
Andrea
Andrea (andrea4dogz)
1 year ago
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Turtles are so cute, but it goes to show you should always research animals before you get them. It seems as though so many people forget this part. Probably why so many dogs are brought back to the pound. There is always a little work involved with pets.
 
jaystarx
jaystarx
1 year ago
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People need to learn to think before spending their money.
 
destini m.
destini m. (desteenie)
1 year ago
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i love turtles they're just too cute i once had a turtle
 
Anonymous
Anonymous
1 year ago
This comment has been removed.
 
jaystarx
jaystarx
1 year ago
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It's not about the childern following the advise. It's the parents inforcing the advise. Next thing you know, we will blame the cat for scratching someone who janks their tail. Parents need to watch their kids!
 
SaraBeth
SaraBeth
1 year ago
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i agree... this is parents responsibility but also... i agree turtles shouldnt be pets
 
jaystarx
jaystarx
1 year ago
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This one makes me laugh personally. I have a painter turtle, his over 10 years old. We know that turtles carry salmonella, and when I or the kids touch them we wash our hands afterward. It is the stupidness of the people.. I'm sorry! But do some research before you get a pet. LEARN what you SHOULD DO.
 
Jeanne H.
Jeanne H. (JHind)
1 year ago
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I had turtles as a child bt I seem to recall they didn't live long. But I know that this was an issue over 30 years ago, so why are people still getting these small turtles as pet. Shops that sell them must be aware of the issue (for example, that they are illegal!). That's the problem with too many laws--we can't enforce them.
 
betty p.
betty p. (peytonplace2001)
1 year ago
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Because folks are not educated on them. That is the problem. I think if shelters and rescues who do a class in school, then maybe we could get thru to a few of the kids.
 
Patricia F.
Patricia F. (pwfewer)
1 year ago
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<span>this comment has been removed from the system</span>
 
SaraBeth
SaraBeth
1 year ago
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exactly! cause people who breed them dont give a hoot where they go or who they go to.... all they care about is making a buck
 
collyn f.
collyn f. (animallover0627)
1 year ago
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thats terrible.
 
Koronin
Koronin
1 year ago
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These parents need educated. Well I think the general public needs educated as well.
 
Anne J.
Anne J. (frisky)
1 year ago
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I guess everything has a positive side.
 
SaraBeth
SaraBeth
1 year ago
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hopefully people will stop buying turtles which will mean people will stop breeding and capturing turtles and maybe just maybe (positive side) we wont be putting these poor turtles through the ringer
 
Jessica j.
Jessica j. (Jesskahhx3)
1 year ago
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Well...thats not really good. Im sorry for all the turtle lovers. Hope you find a different kind of pet that suits you. Its a shame that such a harmless creature is given this disease. Hope they figure it out. =)
 
laaazybum
laaazybum
1 year ago
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They need to educate people about the diseases these turtles carry. No parent in there right mind would allow a child to have a "pet" that could kill them. If these people knew how dangerous it was to handle turtles they wouldn't have them as pets.
 
RayneStorm
RayneStorm
1 year ago
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When I was a kid we had turtles of all kinds...wild ones...never had a problem. Something this story doesn't mention that I read elsewhere is that the Salmonella usually affects the most the turtles so much in diameter or less. (dunno if it's true or not)
 
Melicat
Melicat
1 year ago
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Never, ever buy turtles or snakes. Or lizards. Or iguanas.
 
robokaz
robokaz
1 year ago
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Thats unfortunate
 
chili1zz
chili1zz
1 year ago
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i had pet turtlas growing up both from the store and from the wild for some reason they have become bad news over the years more and more people are getting sick from them they should quite selling them until they can find out why you get so sick
 
samsamjr2
samsamjr2
1 year ago
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I dont people should own turtles unless they have a really big cage and they seem really happy and healthy. Shouldnt be with kids.
 
Jodi R.
Jodi R. (aussiejodi)
1 year ago
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Thats what happens when people keep SHOULD NOT be pets. These little guys should be out in the wild. The people that buy them are only encouraging the illegal trade.
 
AnimalFan
AnimalFan
1 year ago
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I remember as a youth going to the 5 & 10 stores & seeing all those turtles climbing onto one another in what appeared to be trying to get out.
Maybe That was it.
I do think the CDC is taken the proper action on this concerning all, people & turtles.
 
tammy u.
tammy u. (tamkat1031)
1 year ago
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shame on the parents. they should supervise their child with their pet and make sure that they wash their hands. i don't let my children play with our reptiles unless they wash their hands before and after touching them. you should research any pet prior to purchasing
 
Tracy M.
Tracy M. (TracyMothershed)
1 year ago
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Turtles are cute, but with these problems they probably shouldn't be pets.
 
Lara W.
Lara W. (dobby4me)
1 year ago
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All I know is that when I have kids, they'll get to see turtles in the zoo. I don't want to deal with any of those problems!
 
Karen S.
Karen S. (ksnider)
1 year ago
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Salmonella is a dangerous infection. I agree with the handwashing but I will not let my grandchildren touch these turtles.
 
Anonymous
Anonymous
1 year ago
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Kelli B.
Kelli B. (kburke)
1 year ago
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People have to start thinking about why there are laws to protect them. Just because it is cute doesn't mean it can't hurt you.
 
Mike F.
Mike F. (K1765)
1 year ago
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True kburke, I agree
 
woofsrus
woofsrus
1 year ago
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it is always best to wash your hands when handling any animals. if children are too young to understand this then parents should make sure they do so. this will prevent them from becoming sick as well as spreading it to others.
 
TopRock
TopRock
1 year ago
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This is such an unnecessary happening. If parents would be an informed consumer they would know that turtles are not pets and that there is a danger to their children. The sale of turles should be illegal because parents don't have enough sense to wonder if their children are in danger or not.
 
jaystarx
jaystarx
1 year ago
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Woot!
 
Sheryl B.
Sheryl B. (secondchance)
1 year ago
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There definitely needs to be parental monitoring of kids with their pets to ensure that they do wash their hands after handling them.
This is not the first report of salonella so it is hoped that people would already have the message.
 
Cara S.
Cara S. (CrazyCowgirl)
1 year ago
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Yes its against the law to sell small turtles but there are so many places that do anyway, especially at the beach. There are tons of shops at the beach that sell them. Some of the stores wont sell to just anyone, they say they can only sell to teachers for educational purposes. Even then if they are getting sold to teachers then children still have contact with them and get to handle them in class, and I'm sure the teacher isn't watching each child to make sure they wash their hands.
 
Cara D.
Cara D. (Care1974)
1 year ago
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It is a good practice to wash hands when handeling ANY pet for there health as well as ours.
 
Tina V.
Tina V. (Kawalla)
1 year ago
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I didn't know that they can get you sick. I always have my boys wash there hands after handling pets.
 
Peggy B.
Peggy B. (PeggyBrownAguilar)
1 year ago
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It has been against the law to sell these baby turtles since the 70's. Sadly government enforcement has been lax and they are being sold everywhere. Whenever I see them being sold I report it to the mall management. Often they do not know they are violating the law and will shut down the vendors. If that fails contact the U.S.D.A.
 
PennyOnTheFloor
PennyOnTheFloor
1 year ago
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I believe that any location in which these pets are sold should inform the buyer of the potential for salmonella. Proper hand washing is a must for handling these pets.

Secondly, individuals buying turtles need to become informed when it comes to proper handling/care/nutrition of these pets.
 
Alicia W.
Alicia W. (Leesh1672)
1 year ago
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I never saw the appeal in having a turtle as a pet anyway.
 
Betty B.
Betty B. (bblakley07)
1 year ago
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I honestly don't know why parents are allowing their children to have "pet" turtles. There have long been warnings out as to the hazards of kids having these. Turtles are not pets. Same with any type of reptile, kids should not have them. What more is it going to take?
 
Dana A.
Dana A. (danaavey)
1 year ago
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Having never considered a turtle for a pet, I have never heard of salmonella being associated with pet turtles. I feel fortunate to have been exposed to this article, considering I have a young child who may come into contact with pet turtles at some point.
 
Sheila
Sheila (HayleysMom)
1 year ago
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Thank you for your comment, Dana - I think that sometimes when we are all in discussion we tend to forget that not everyone is aware of illnesses and problems that can be caused by our pets.. oh, the obvious - ringworm, roundworm, hookworm but there are many others . a great link for you as a parent of a young child, or anyone else for that matter is the FDA Keeping Pets and people healthy site : www.fda.gov
 
betty p.
betty p. (peytonplace2001)
1 year ago
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Thanks for the link. That has alot of info.
 
Jennifer W.
Jennifer W. (jmw109)
1 year ago
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We have a turtle for a pet and I make EVERYONE wash their hands after touching him. If people would just do a little research before buying any pet then we wouldn't have as many problems.
 
Barbara G.
Barbara G. (barbara126)
1 year ago
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Kind of scary that people can get so sick from these little guys. And most kids at sometime or another want a turtle for a pet
 
LettyGalbraith
LettyGalbraith
1 year ago
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I had little turtles as pets when I was a child and never had any problems. I wonder if there is something else in conjunction that can be traced to the outbreaks rather than just the turtles alone.
 
Carol M.
Carol M. (CarolMajernik)
1 year ago
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I had a pet painted turtle that my family found when we went fishing in a pond. We named him Ed and had him for several years. He was a nice pet and we never got any disease from handling him. Of course, we must have washed our hands after handling him. Maybe the way these small turtles are raised has conditions that breeds samonella.
 
Vicky
Vicky (TheDoglover)
1 year ago
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How horrible is that !
 
Jman
Jman
1 year ago
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This has been an isssue for quite some time. Why hasn't this been taken in consideration previously. Not only are humans involved, there is a big threat on animal life as well.
 
Lindsey
Lindsey (OptTooAdopt)
1 year ago
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I think you should urge your children to wash their hands after touching any animal.
 
Christine H.
Christine H. (cholliday)
1 year ago
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Animals aren't as clean as we think they are, nor are we. We should exercise caution on both ends to keep us and our pets safe.
 
Searay24
Searay24
1 year ago
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People need to remember to wash their hand to protect both them and their pet!
 
BETH S.
BETH S. (bethsmith1983)
1 year ago
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THAT IS AWFUL.
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