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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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5doxiemom
5doxiemom
1 year ago
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Hey a little soap and a little water goes a long way.
 
April H.
April H. (AprilHogan)
1 year ago
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I grew up in the country and we always played with turtles, I don't remember my parents making a big issue of it.
 
jon s.
jon s. (jonsix)
1 year ago
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Im not sure how they can pass the salmonella? My friend rescued a very small turtle in a field that was being mowed and its been the size of a quarter for the past 2 yrs
 
Jennifer F.
Jennifer F. (JenniferInNY)
1 year ago
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That's nothing compared to the amount of people that got salmonella from chicken. You can get salmonella from not washing your hands after using the bathroom as salmonella is present in human fecal too.
I'm not the biggest fan of pet turtles as they can be more difficult to keep clean without a quality filtration system, but, tortoises and other reptiles can make great pets so long as you teach children to wash their hands. Many reptiles are captive bred and accustomed to eating prekilled foods or even pellets.
Here's the official salmonella guide from the CDC
www.cdc.gov%20common%20is%20salmonellosis

Almost 300 people caught salmonella from one brand of pot pies. Over 600 people caught salmonella from peanut butter last year.. There are about 40,000 reported cases yearly with less then 5% possibly being from pet reptiles.
It's a common illness that can be found in just about any animal product and even on vegetation that has come into contact with animal or human feces.
Just another story blown out of proportion to help enable the banning of reptiles as pets.
 
I feel bad that humans took them from the wild so they already feel displaced, but now they're being chastized for it too.
 
Anne R.
Anne R. (Darmryan)
1 year ago
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This is a common issue with turtles and I think many owners are unaware of it. Good hand washing and purcel will help a great deal.
 
Trish S.
Trish S. (NGSingersMom)
1 year ago
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With over 2,500 strains of salmonella, it's just common sense to wash your hands...
 
Darlene W.
Darlene W. (darwana)
1 year ago
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Our pet store has turtle but they say for Education use ONLY. And wash your hands with soap and water because now they say the waterless stuff can make kids sick if licked off of hands or fingers.
 
Carrie R.
Carrie R. (croe)
1 year ago
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We cannot buy such turtles in pet stores in our state and presumed this was a nationwide ban against it. So a big surprise to me. Guess therea are a few things my state is ahead of the curve on.
 
lizardlover27
lizardlover27
1 year ago
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Need to use warm water and soap after handling any pet. Turtles are so cute. But should be left in own envioment.
 
janet b.
janet b. (janetbrookfield)
1 year ago
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Turtles are well known to carry diseases. People who buy turtles for their children need to be sure the children frequently wash their hands after touching the turtles.
 
hiway
hiway
1 year ago
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I think that because turtles are so gentle, and appear to be a lot less work than they really are, that this is why people think they would make good pets for kids. But think of how infrequently kids wash their hands to begin with. Also how many kids want to kiss their pets. Maybe not the best choice for little ones.
 
Susan W.
Susan W. (SuziInStereo)
1 year ago
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washing your hands after touching animals should be common sense. Especially with young children.
 
Vicky
Vicky (TheDoglover)
1 year ago
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at least they don't realize what they are doing unlike humans who sometimes transmit things on purpose
 
Melissa
Melissa (mevrooman)
1 year ago
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Some animals are not meant for domestication.....

 
Lory
Lory (sweetkitten)
1 year ago
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turtles are cool but sadly most people dont realize the commitment it takes to care for them and as always after handling any animal, wash your hands...it help prevent the spread of disease and also protect people who suffer from allergies
 
John K.
John K. (hugebear)
1 year ago
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does anyone know if Congress did overturn the 1970's law banning the sale of turtles under 4" in shell size?
 
MandiK303
MandiK303
1 year ago
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If the ban hasn't been overturned there sure is a lot of people breaking it! I see baby turtles for sale on craigslist all the time...some from breeders and some from private owners. I never even knew that the law existed!
 
Lory
Lory (sweetkitten)
1 year ago
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the article you mentioned is titled "Salmonella and Small Turtles" dated here on January 14, 2008...hopefully they will give us an update soon as to the outcome of the admendment
 
John K.
John K. (hugebear)
1 year ago
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we as a people really do need to practice better hygene habits
 
Michael
Michael (Panther1)
1 year ago
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i am hoping that bill in Congress that seeks to allow the sale of those mini-turtles fails
 
Megan P.
Megan P. (Alliecat123)
1 year ago
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Turtle turtle!
 
Adriana C.
Adriana C. (AdrianaLMST)
1 year ago
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Woahh.
 
zoemac
zoemac
1 year ago
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I miss those little green turtles everybody used to have. But now we're a lot safer from salmonella.
 
Tammy S.
Tammy S. (tlkscott)
1 year ago
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People must know how to care for pets and you should always wash after playing with your pets.
 
ourstaff
ourstaff
1 year ago
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I think that turtles can be a good pet for child in household where they may not be able to have other kinds of animals. But the turtle and the child should both be big enough to make the relationship safe.
 
maria s.
maria s. (yasou8)
1 year ago
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poor kids
but maybe the parents should watch their children and make sure they dont stick their hands in their mouth or anything. they should wash their hands immediatly. (with any animal)
 
Michael
Michael (Panther1)
1 year ago
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i was thinking of saying the same thing but you beat me to it
 
penny m.
penny m. (pennydq)
1 year ago
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I guess there is no way to cure the little things?
 
Mike K.
Mike K. (g8trguy1)
1 year ago
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This can all be handled by washing hands and using antibacterial hand sanitizer.
 
Anonymous
Anonymous
1 year ago
This comment has been removed.
 
Kathleen
Kathleen (mewlkitten)
1 year ago
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I had a turtle when I was younger, and I never got sick from it. I'm guessing it's a distributer, and not the turtle's fault.
It could also be people not taking good care of their pet turtles, and keeping them clean.
 
bratcats
bratcats
1 year ago
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A few things to remember. Children shouldn't be playing with turtles. Parents shouldn't get turtles as pets since most children don't know how to properly care for them. EVERBODY should wash their hands...with soap and hot water please.
 
animalcrazybt
animalcrazybt
1 year ago
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It's a shame that they carry this horrible bacteria. But, simple hand washing would stop any sickness.
 
KatieF352
KatieF352
1 year ago
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Don't blame it all on the turtles...my family (with 6 kids, myself included), had countless pet turtles over the years, and none of us ever got sick. It's not that hard- wash your hands with soap and hot water, and don't touch anything until that's done. Not rocket science.
 
Dusty
Dusty (dvrkennels)
1 year ago
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See...thats why only furry animals are welcome in my house.
 
Washing hands after contact with turtles is common sense and should be not be misconstrued into a bad rap for the animal. Turtles, like other animals, behave as they are treated though many should not be captured in the first place.
 
redrose222
redrose222
1 year ago
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Just wash your hands!!
 
Kimberly G.
Kimberly G. (gttw)
1 year ago
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too bad
 
Bayernmadl
Bayernmadl
1 year ago
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Exotic pets... When is it ever going to end...
 
Jennifer F.
Jennifer F. (JenniferInNY)
1 year ago
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Hopefully never since many of them are easier to maintain for apartment dwellers then a dog or cat. If salmonella scares you that much, better not eat eggs, pot pies, peanut butter, chicken and on and on..
 
animalcrazybt
animalcrazybt
1 year ago
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thats scary...
 
M W.
M W. (melouise)
1 year ago
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You learn something new everyday. Wow.
 
chili1zz
chili1zz
1 year ago
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you have to get people to teach there kids not to iouch there face when around animals and wash hands good after touch animals
 
nancy2cats
nancy2cats
1 year ago
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I had red-ears for YEARS when I was a kid - all throughout the 70's. We were told to wash our hands after handling them and never had a problem. My father developed a special meat mix for them. The grew to be huge and healthy with iron-hard shells. They were sweet! After teaching them to catch small fish, we released them in a pond with other red-ears. Turtles can be wonderful pets if you know how to care for them appropriately - although now I personally prefer to see them in the wild. Sadly most of the turtles sold don't get to have such happy lives.
 
Sharon S.
Sharon S. (sharonsoup)
1 year ago
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I own 2 turtles. They are full grown, are not mean as some have written, and are nice pets for turtle lovers! Again, when people buy little tiny turtles, they need to realize that they are going to grow into big turtles and require an expensive filter system and housing!!! They are very enjoyable to have and can bask in the funniest positions! Yes, they require special lighting also!
You should wash your hands after touching most pets, but especially reptiles because of the salmonella possibility. Some other good advice is to do their cleaning away from the kitchen. We use the bathtub for all turtle cleaning, then clean that well.
It's sad to think of all the pets that die because they were cute as babies.
 
Slickabrina
Slickabrina
1 year ago
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Turtles are difficult to keep as pets. I don't think many people realize that.
 
Ro
Ro (BabyRo)
1 year ago
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I had NO idea..
 
arnie
arnie (arnied)
1 year ago
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wow
 
Breanna S.
Breanna S. (budluc2dogs)
1 year ago
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poor turtles!
 
Lindsey M.
Lindsey M. (lmoyer17)
1 year ago
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I always had a pet turtle growing up but my parents always made me wash my hands whenever i was done playing with it and i never had any problems
 
Lisa P.
Lisa P. (mystykat)
1 year ago
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I never understood the appeal of turtles as pets anyways.
 
Shanalw
Shanalw
1 year ago
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Red eared sliders and other water turtles should NOT be kept as pets. Not only is salmonella an issue, but the bigger they get the meaner they get, and they bite! Leave them in their natural habitat.
 
lmuzekari
lmuzekari
1 year ago
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Why do parents allow their children to own a turtle? Turtles are not pets! Small children don't know they can get salmonella from Turtles. I would not expose a child of mine to this situation. Leave the Turtles in their natural habitat to be admired but not put in a cage as a pet.
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