Salmonella Outbreak Linked to Pet Turtles

The CDC issued an alert today regarding several cases of Salmonella linked to pet turtles. 

According to the CDC, it is investigating 8 cases of Salmonella that have appeared in 6 states that are linked to contact with pet turtles. All of these cases involve children under the age of 10. 

The CDC has the following advice for businesses and individuals to reduce risk:

What businesses should do

Do not sell or distribute turtles with shells less than 4 inches long.

• A federal law bans the sale and distribution of these turtles as pets.
• Many states have additional laws about the sale of turtles as pets.

Educate customers about how to stay health around turtles.

• Learn more information on how to stay healthy around turtles.
• Consider putting these stickers right by the turtle area and giving a copy to customers who are buying them.
  • Always Wash Your Hands After Touching, Feeding, Or Playing With Your Pet Reptile
  • Don’t Buy Turtles With Shells Less Than 4 Inches Long
  • Turtles Aren’t Right For Every Family

Learn more about how to protect your customers and employees from Salmonella and other diseases shared between animals and humans.

• Read A Compendium of Measures to Prevent Zoonotic Diseases Associated with Non-Traditional Pets.

Wash your hands

• Always wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water right after
  • touching or feeding your turtle
  • touching or cleaning the area where it lives and roams
• Adults should make sure young children are washing their hands properly.

Play safely

• Don’t kiss or snuggle your turtle, and don’t eat or drink around it. This can spread Salmonella germs to your mouth and make you sick.
• Parents and caregivers of young children can consider taking additional precautions, such as changing shirts between holding turtles and holding infants.

Don’t cross-contaminate

• Have a dedicated enclosure for your turtle. Don’t allow turtles to roam in the same space where young children crawl and play.
• Keep turtles and their equipment out of the kitchen or anywhere that food is prepared, stored, served, or eaten.

Keep things clean

• Clean your turtle supplies outside of the house, if possible. These supplies may include its tank, toys, and food and water containers.
• If you must clean the supplies indoors, don’t clean them in the kitchen or other areas where you eat or prepare food. Use a laundry sink or bathtub, and thoroughly clean and disinfect the area right after.
• Pour any water from your turtle’s enclosure down the toilet instead of sinks or drains.

Read the CDC’s full alert here.