TAMPA, Fla. — The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced a salmonella outbreak linked to small turtles and said Florida has the highest number of cases.
The agency is investigating after it received 51 reports of the illness from 21 states of people getting sick after being in contact with small turtles, according to a CDC notice posted on Friday. The outbreak is mainly affecting young children with 17 being under 5 years old and 10 being under 1.
Almost half of the people have been hospitalized, and there have been no deaths reported. Florida has the highest number of cases with seven reported.
Small turtles are defined as having shells less than four inches long. A federal law bans the sale and distribution of these types of turtles because of the repeated illnesses and outbreaks, but some online retailers, pet stores and roadside markets still sell them, the notice said.
Most people infected experience symptoms of diarrhea, fever and stomach cramps usually six hours to six days after being exposed. It lasts about four to seven days and most people recover without treatment.
Severe salmonella symptoms include:
- Diarrhea and a fever higher than 102 degrees Fahrenheit
- Diarrhea for more than 3 days that's not improving
- Bloody diarrhea
- So much vomiting that you can't keep liquids down
- Signs of dehydration such as not peeing much, dry mouth and throat and feeling dizzy when standing
The CDC is warning people that pet turtles of any size can carry Salmonella germs in their droppings even if they look healthy and clean. The germs can spread easily in the area where they live and roam, which is why it's important for owners to wash their hands thoroughly with soap and water right after touching or feeding their pets.
Here are other tips from the CDC to avoid getting sick:
- Don't kiss or snuggle your turtle
- Don't eat or drink around it
- Keep the turtle out of the kitchen and other areas where you eat, store or prepare food
- Use a wash tub and sponge or srub that are just used for your pet and its items
- Thoroughly clean and disinfect a sink or tub that you use to clean your turtle
The CDC also recommends avoiding having turtles for families with children younger than 5, adults who are 65 and older or people with weakened immune systems because they are more likely to get a serious illness from terms that turtles can carry.
Two farms in Florida have also been linked to a separate multi-state salmonella outbreak that has sickened hundreds of people, according to the CDC.