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Pet Turtles Cause Record Salmonella Outbreak

by Robin Wallace

Browse News

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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Carryl D.
Carryl D. (carryld)
1 year ago
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This is such a shame..turtles make such great pet. But, of course, you should wash your hands...no duh!
 
jdog123
jdog123
1 year ago
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I used to play with turtles and frogs I would find in my Grandma's yard. Never occurred to me turtles could carry salmonella.
 
Jamie M.
Jamie M. (jamiedee)
1 year ago
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When I was young we had some pet turtles in the little glass bowl with the plastic palm tree. Then the new hit that children were dying from the salmonella and my mom made us get rid of the turtles. This has been a problem since the beginning of time. Why are these shops selling these turtles again? If it is illegal, why are they out there and why aren't the new generation of parents warned not to buy them?
 
angieluv
angieluv
1 year ago
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When I was a child the dimestore sold tiny red-ear sliders. I had 3 of them Linus, Lucy and Lydia. I was lucky never to contract an illness.
I thought that it was illegal to sell baby turles but I know that larger turles are sold in some pet and aquarium stores. I am unsure as to why this is permitted.
I think that possibly a warning should come with a pet turtle and they should only be sold to adults. As far as I knew most turles carry salmonella
 
Carol M.
Carol M. (CarolaMc)
1 year ago
Flag this | Good Point | 1 user liked it.
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We need much more education about pet-related illnesses. Some simple precautions could keep small turtles off the list of forbidden pets.
 
Adaira R.
Adaira R. (auntadaira)
1 year ago
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Hand washing is a great preventative tool with animal contact and human. People who frequently wash their hands are less likely to get colds and flus too. I really didn't know a lot about turtles. This was very informative.
 
Hughie
Hughie
1 year ago
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Handwashing is a good idea, no matter what pet you touch.
 
mARY ANN M.
mARY ANN M. (foxflower)
1 year ago
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I wasn't sure what disease the old small box turtle used to carry, but I remember as a child my Mom was always careful that we washed our hands after playing with our pet turtle because she said it was one of those animals that could carry a pretty nasty disease. Of course closer attention has to be paid to the pet farms that sell and distribute these animals so that the conditions they are kept and bred in are clean, uncrowded and monitored for disease to prevent such outbreaks.

I have always loved turtles and it is a shame that careless breeding farms, distribution and sales lead to these issues.
 
5doxiemom
5doxiemom
1 year ago
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one comment" WASH YOUR HANDS" This is not the only way one can get salmonella
 
greenkitty44
greenkitty44
1 year ago
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I had no idea this could happen....I know a lot of people that have had turtles and never had a problem. I think if the person is responsible, then why not let them have a turtle, but these people who just want it because it is cool--should not adopt a turlte.
 
D. Rene
D. Rene (mooredr3)
1 year ago
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Scary. I did not realize this could happen.
 
Sharon L.
Sharon L. (SharonLinch)
1 year ago
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I happen to love turtles as well as frogs, but there's no way people need to be handling these guys if they can make us sick.
 
Janie
Janie (wildlifephotomom)
1 year ago
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This is the reason I got rid of our little turtle. We took him back to the petshop. My son was always playing with him and you cannot monitor a child endlessly from putting their hands in their mouths. At least I was responsible and took the little turtle back and did not just dispose of him. I hope someone gave him a good home.
 
Marissa N.
Marissa N. (Marissa1992)
1 year ago
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The only reason that this kind of thing happens is because careless parents do not check if their child has washed their hands after handeling the animal. This should be done after coming in contact with any pet, not just turtles.
 
Sharon L.
Sharon L. (SharonLinch)
1 year ago
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Yes, you're right, however if the animal is carrying a disease, why take a chance???
 
samiam001413
samiam001413
1 year ago
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discusting
 
Sarah M.
Sarah M. (maxscout)
1 year ago
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Scary to think about, but I also you to handle turtles all the time as a kid. Do we over react sometimes?
 
Brigit800
Brigit800
1 year ago
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I had a pet turtle when I was little. I took it outside to get some sunshine. I didn't know I could get sick from it.
 
Jamie M.
Jamie M. (jamiedee)
1 year ago
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kind of scary now huh?
 
Barbara K.
Barbara K. (Ishbish)
1 year ago
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Wow, there so many things to worry about when you have kids. And you know how kids are wanting to catch wild frogs and turtles and keep them as pets.
 
Jill6Johnson
Jill6Johnson
1 year ago
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I know they have tried to control the sell of turtles for this reason.....maybe there is something to it. People need to be more responsible and research before buying pets.
 
Brad J.
Brad J. (BradJohnston)
1 year ago
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I have a turtle & I never touch it without rubber gloves. just to be on the safe side. I wonder what people are thinking when they get their young kids these exotic type pets, they can't possibly take care of them properly. Everybody should practice sanitation anyway, thats how we stop germs from spreading.
 
starlitegirl
starlitegirl
1 year ago
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Turtles should not be purchased for children. They will not remember to wash their hands every time they handle them.
 
WANSTREET
WANSTREET
1 year ago
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Great! Now we have turtle mills too. It is important to wash your hands after handling ANY pet. Parents should know this and teach their kids cleanliness. Maybe the turtles should come with warning lables. Never mind people probably wouldn't read them anyway.
 
Doglover1111
Doglover1111
1 year ago
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Scary
 
Anonymous
Anonymous
1 year ago
This comment has been removed.
 
LoriHill123
LoriHill123
1 year ago
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agreed
 
fahselc
fahselc
1 year ago
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we've known this for how long, its nothing new, why are they still be sold as pets?
 
Melissa S.
Melissa S. (Meezie)
1 year ago
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Another reason why stores should not be allowed to sell animals.
 
SandyReedy
SandyReedy
1 year ago
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I don't think turtles were wver meant to be pets in the first place. This is a dangerous occurance. I didn' realize there were so many places that sold turtles.
 
FruitLoopLucy
FruitLoopLucy
1 year ago
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Hand wshing is always good, keep turtle environment clean
 
Anne W.
Anne W. (hyjinxannie)
1 year ago
Flag this | Good Point | 2 users liked it.
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keep your turtle and the container and water clean every day.. just as a precaution..
 
Anne W.
Anne W. (hyjinxannie)
1 year ago
Flag this | Good Point | 2 users liked it.
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washing hands is something we learn as children.. so just remember to do it often.
 
suzie80
suzie80
1 year ago
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always good to wash hands what ever you are doing...
 
suzie80
suzie80
1 year ago
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turtle water needs to be changed daily as well as washing the container they live it. Plus anything in the container. then as always when handling your pets wsh the hands with warm water and soap...
 
lizardlover27
lizardlover27
1 year ago
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need to get into a habit WASH HANDS!!!!
 
lizardlover27
lizardlover27
1 year ago
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pets as turtles I don't know they sure are cute.
 
hawley97
hawley97
1 year ago
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Have to teach the kids to WASH THEIR HANDS!!
 
chiefwab
chiefwab
1 year ago
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turtles are not pets, but change the water and wash the container daily. Wash your hands often///
 
chiefwab
chiefwab
1 year ago
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pets are not really pets but if yo have one need to change the water daily and wash out the container. With all pets wash your hands often.
 
GRAM B.
GRAM B. (paweba)
1 year ago
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As any live things always wash your hands....
 
GRAM B.
GRAM B. (paweba)
1 year ago
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turtles as a pet, I don't know thet are fun to watch but a true pet I don't think so
 
chili1zz
chili1zz
1 year ago
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clean the water that thay are in every other day or better yet every day and wash your hand good when you touch them
 
Sharon L.
Sharon L. (SharonLinch)
1 year ago
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Twenty years ago we never thought anything about
catching diseases from turtles. It's scarrry.
 
Robin
Robin (gerbilgirl1994)
1 year ago
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I really wish that people would do their "homework" and do some research before they buy a new pet. Pet turtles get to be huge, and then you will have a large turtle that needs a large aquarium. I also wish that they would stop selling such small turtles. Turtles are a lot more work than anyone would think and they cost a lot of money to keep.
 
Kristina R.
Kristina R. (babykristina32)
1 year ago
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I have always remembered hearing about turtles and how they carry salmonella. That's scary.
 
LoriHill123
LoriHill123
1 year ago
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Wow
 
BumbleBee88
BumbleBee88
1 year ago
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When did turtles become pets again?
 
8critters
8critters
1 year ago
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When I hear this, I always wonder what the status was in the 50's and 60's, when pet turtles were a given. I don't ever remember anyone of us getting sick from them.
 
JazzG
JazzG
1 year ago
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We don't need turtles as pets.
 
Connie G.
Connie G. (cgleason)
1 year ago
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I don't see a reason to start selling these again.
 
Janie
Janie (wildlifephotomom)
1 year ago
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WE got rid of our turtle after this outbreak many years ago. Turtles belong in the wild.
 
Sharon L.
Sharon L. (SharonLinch)
1 year ago
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Yea, you're right I guess we'll just have to watch more of the discover channel to see theses cute little guys.
 
Cheryl L.
Cheryl L. (cdagner331)
1 year ago
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Maybe they should stop selling them....
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