Update on Multistate Outbreak of Salmonella Typhimurium Infections Linked to Small Pet Turtles

April 16, 2021 – The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has announced that an additional nine people and three states have been added to the agency’s investigation of a multistate occurrence of human Salmonella Typhimurium infections linked to contact with small pet turtles.

Thirty-one cases of human Salmonella Typhimurium infections have been reported in 10 states between August 27, 2020, and March 20, 2021. Of people interviewed, 15 reported contact with pet turtles before becoming ill. The ages of those infected range from less than one year to 59, with a median age of six. Nine people have been hospitalized; there has been one death reported from Pennsylvania. Ill people reported buying small pet turtles from flea markets, roadside vendors and pet stores. Twelve people remembered the size of their turtle, and 11 of them reported contact with turtles whose shells were less than four inches long.

Previous Salmonella outbreaks have been linked to turtles with a shell length less than four inches. The Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council (PIJAC) reminds businesses and consumers that federal law¹ prohibits the sale of turtles with a shell length of less than four inches as pets. Consumers should not buy small turtles with shells less than four inches long, and should only purchase pets from reputable pet retailers or breeders.

All turtles, regardless of size, can carry Salmonella bacteria even if they appear healthy and clean. Animals with Salmonella shed the bacteria in their droppings. These germs can then spread to their bodies, tank water and anything in the area where they live and roam. People can become infected if they do not wash their hands after contact with animals carrying Salmonella, or their environments.

Most people infected with Salmonella develop diarrhea, fever and abdominal cramps between six hours and six days after infection. Children under the age of five, adults over the age of 65 and individuals with weakened immune systems have a greater risk of infection and severe illness. The illness usually lasts four to seven days, and most individuals recover without treatment. However, in some cases, the illness may be so severe that a person requires hospitalization.

The CDC, PIJAC and other expert sources recommend these precautions to protect yourself and others from contact with Salmonella bacteria that turtles may carry:

• Supervise children’s interactions with the animal, including post-encounter hand-washing.
• Wash your hands for at least 20 seconds with water and soap right after touching the animal or anything in the area where they live, including after handling pet food and treats, cleaning cages or tanks, or picking up toys or bedding.
• Do not let the animal into areas where food is prepared, served, or stored.
• Do not snuggle or kiss the animal, or touch your mouth, eat or drink around them.
• To prevent cross-contamination, avoid cleaning habitats, toys and pet supplies in areas where food is prepared, served or stored.

If you are thinking of getting a pet turtle:

• Do not buy small turtles with shells less than four inches long. Federal law² prohibits the sale of these small turtles. However, many people in this outbreak had contact with small turtles. Small turtles are sometimes sold illegally as pets at flea markets, roadside stands and stores.
• Purchase or adopt pet turtles from reputable pet retailers, breeders or pet rescues. Reputable pet retailers, breeders and rescues do not sell small turtles with shells less than four inches long.
• Ask the retailer, breeder or rescue if they have any tips on how to stay healthy around pet turtles and prevent getting sick from Salmonella.
• Pick the right pet for your family. Pet turtles are not recommended for households with people at higher risk of getting severely ill. Consider picking a different pet if your household has someone who is younger than five, aged 65 or older, or has a weakened immune system.

Pet retailers are strongly encouraged to provide information on disease risk and prevention measures to consumers purchasing reptiles. Such information includes the “Healthy Herp Handling” poster, which can be found listed in the resources below.

Resources:

• CDC investigation notice: https://www.cdc.gov/salmonella/typhimurium-02-21/index.html
• CDC information on Salmonella: https://www.cdc.gov/salmonella/index.html
• CDC Stay Healthy Around Pet Reptiles and Amphibians: https://www.cdc.gov/healthypets/resources/safety-around-reptiles-H.pdf
• CDC The Trouble with Tiny Turtles: https://www.cdc.gov/healthypets/publications/trouble-with- tiny-turtles.html
• CDC Information on Healthy Pets and Healthy People: https://www.cdc.gov/healthypets/index.html
• PIJAC Healthy Herp Handling poster: https://pijac.org/HealthyHerpHandling
• PIJAC flyer containing information on Salmonella for retailers: https://pijac.org/sites/default/files/pdfs/FLYERSalmonellosis071117.pdf
• PIJAC Introduction to Aquatic Turtle Care: https://pijac.org/sites/default/files/pdfs/care%20sheets/aquaticturtlecaresheet122117.pdf

PIJAC website updates on this outbreak and other zoonotic issues: https://pijac.org/animal-welfare-and-programs/zoonotic-disease-prevention

Media Contact

Gwyn Donohue
Vice President, Communications and Membership
202-452-1525 x1080
[email protected]