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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.

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health & science, alerts, reptiles

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starlitegirl
starlitegirl
1 year ago
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I have always worried about kids having pet turtles. Just watching them put their hands in the dirty water to pick them up makes me cringe.
 
JacobC
JacobC
1 year ago
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Good info to have! Didn't know turtles carried salmonella.
 
hymcheng
hymcheng
1 year ago
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I didn't realize turtles could be carriers of salmonella. Good to know.
 
Mary P.
Mary P. (marysworld)
1 year ago
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Like with any animal you are considering on adopting you should research the pros & cons of each & also get from a reputable breeder or have some knowledge of their history.
 
Angie R.
Angie R. (amin23960)
1 year ago
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Most people, children, get turtles as pets and cant care for them properly. So they THINK is it safe to release them in their own backyard or in a local stream. Realistically this is the worse thing. Most of them are not from this area. So they are not only putting that animal in danger, but all the animals it comes in contact with..
Which is the same thing that happened to the people.
 
Angie R.
Angie R. (amin23960)
1 year ago
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I agree with person who said this is natures way of telling people that they should be in the wild. I am sure that this bacteria is a defense mech. for the small turtles. Similar to black snakes in this area. They are not poisonous, but you better hope you dont get bitten by one bc the bacteria in their mouth is worse than the bite.
 
wash your hands after handling turtles!
they do carry salmonella... hence my turtles' names: Sam and Ella...
 
Rachel B.
Rachel B. (Raykulann)
1 year ago
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I'm pretty sure the mini-turtles have NOT been banned...or pet stores are ignoring the ban. A friend of mine purchased two mini turtles for someone's little girl last year for her birthday.
They sure are cute, but why risk giving your kid an illness?
 
Katie D.
Katie D. (tundrakatiebean)
1 year ago
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yet another example why pet stores shouldn't sell from 'mill breeders'
 
Lori M.
Lori M. (rlga)
1 year ago
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How sad.
 
lizardlover27
lizardlover27
1 year ago
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Washing hands is vry important no matter what you are doing. This is sad.
 
Sandy P.
Sandy P. (lucieth)
1 year ago
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I'm wondering if the salmonella virus has gotten stronger since the 1960's. I had a small turtle when I was a child and never heard of the connection between salmonella and reptiles. Or it could be another case of us just hearing about it since communication is more far-reaching than it used to be - what with the internet and all. Or maybe 'cause I was a kid -- and didn't listen to the news!
 
Bev K.
Bev K. (Krazykitty)
1 year ago
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They are reptiles. Must wash hands a lot after handling them.
 
kathleen r.
kathleen r. (kathr91092)
1 year ago
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it good to wash your hands as much as possible with all these new diseases around.
 
Amy M.
Amy M. (peanuts2325)
1 year ago
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after handling any animal it is always best to wash your hands
 
lfusfeld
lfusfeld
1 year ago
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Stop breeding animals.......
 
jas4per
jas4per
1 year ago
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I heard about this many years ago. Hand washing is extremely important after handling a turtle.
 
shelia s.
shelia s. (forrest)
1 year ago
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I'm glad I read this! I never knew this about turtles!
 
Jessica F.
Jessica F. (frosty73)
1 year ago
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I knew turtles could carry salmonella, and it's always a good idea to wash your hands after playing with ANY animal.
I'd never heard of "mini" turtles being illegal to sell in the US, though. Who knew?
 
Theresa
Theresa (bayerminimum)
1 year ago
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Interesting
 
Kirstin T.
Kirstin T. (kirst3buns)
1 year ago
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I hope this doesn't lead people to "dump" their pet turtles. Like most pets, a little research before the purchase is always a good idea.
 
Amy P.
Amy P. (mimi8778)
1 year ago
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We have turtles(not small ones), and you ALWAY have to wash your hands after handling them. Children should be encouraged to was their hands after handling or petting any animal!
 
Laurel C.
Laurel C. (Imissbailey)
1 year ago
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You should never allow your small children to be around turtles. Unfortunatly, kids put their hands in their mouths before washing them.
 
Valerie M.
Valerie M. (CKK)
1 year ago
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who knew? lol
 
Patrice M.
Patrice M. (patmaz)
1 year ago
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it's a shame the way pet shops warehouse poor animals. it's common sense that they are not going to do well when out of their natural habitat.
 
sunnyranch
sunnyranch
1 year ago
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Remember to wash your hands......
 
Sheila R.
Sheila R. (shei34)
1 year ago
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That is just weird. I didn't know turtles carried salmonela. Good information to know.
 
bondb
bondb
1 year ago
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I had no idea that turtles carry salmonella! Hopefully this message gets out to all parents (even if they don't have pet turtles) as it seems kids are the first to get ill!
 
jackie B.
jackie B. (Selene1090)
1 year ago
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hope hope this dose not lead to moms taking little Timies pet turtle and laving him on the side of the road.
 
chris1966
chris1966
1 year ago
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We have a pet corn snake and they to carry Salmonella. Our rule for anyone is to wash your hands before you touch the snake and as soon as you are done. No exceptions.
 
Patricia B.
Patricia B. (kraus)
1 year ago
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I had heard of this years ago when I used to buy small turtles as pets from a dime store downtown. They had to stop selling them because of this type of outbreak. I think the larger turtles aren't as apt to carry the disease.
 
Michelle M.
Michelle M. (mmick)
1 year ago
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I've never heard anything like this
 
Cate G.
Cate G. (Cazoo)
1 year ago
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These guys are back on the market? When I was a kid, they stopped allowing them to be sold because of the transmission of disease -- kids were getting sick all over the place. This was over 40 years ago, too. I'm surprised they ever allowed them to be marketted again!
 
Jessica C.
Jessica C. (JE55ICA)
1 year ago
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Wow, In a sad way...I am happy I put my two turtles in the lake behind my house. This is the last thing I need.
 
Sharon L.
Sharon L. (SharonLinch)
1 year ago
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I love turtles and especially frogs. Too bad another type of pet is not safe for our children.
 
stephanie w.
stephanie w. (stephhy)
1 year ago
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i have a turtle and im never getting rid of him
 
kasey t.
kasey t. (loveyagirl)
1 year ago
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i love turtles but i definitely dont think people should keep them as pets
 
Kip B.
Kip B. (Kp66)
1 year ago
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It's not their fault. :(
 
Janet V.
Janet V. (janeyv)
1 year ago
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This is too bad. Are these the same turtles that are supposed to be banned from selling?
 
britmollywillow3
britmollywillow3
1 year ago
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You must always wash your hand after touching any kind of animal.
 
Stephanie0305
Stephanie0305
1 year ago
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thats why people should wash there hands after contact with ANY animal.
 
Heather
Heather (dog2dog)
1 year ago
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I'm glad that I don't own a pet turtle. Salmonella doesn't sound like fun.
 
Sue R.
Sue R. (suerob)
1 year ago
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Hummmm - I wonder if they aren't trying to pay us back for all the pollution and chemical poisoning we have caused them in the wild.
 
wilsontdk
wilsontdk
1 year ago
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How sad
 
buzymom
buzymom
1 year ago
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I didn't realize turtles could carry salmonella. We visit the pet store often, I'm sure posted signs would deter prospective buyers; however, being that I didn't know and think others probably aren't informed either, I feel that a warning should be posted on the enclosures for those with small children who would consider purchasing a turtle.
 
KatRaz
KatRaz
1 year ago
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when we had turtles when I was growing up - we always washed our hands after we touched them.
 
Casey B.
Casey B. (Casey01)
1 year ago
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This is really unfortunate for the children who had these turtles but maybe this will e a reminder of proper hygene with all reptiles. Always wash your hands after handling them.
 
Hannah S.
Hannah S. (JupiterSunrise)
1 year ago
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hm, informative indeed.
hah.
 
tori f.
tori f. (animalgirl0496)
1 year ago
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very informational!! great article
 
Kaitlyn
Kaitlyn (WickedFan)
1 year ago
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this was actually a very informative and interesting story
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