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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has linked a nationwide Salmonella outbreak to small turtles sold illegally online.
In its investigation notice,published on Thursday, the CDC stated that the outbreak is linked to turtles with shells less than four inches long sold through online stores.
According to the notice, federal law bans selling and distributing turtles less than 4 inches long as pets, but the sales continue online, at flea markets, and roadside stands.
According to the CDC’s investigation, 15 people have reported illnesses connected to the Salmonella outbreak linked to small turtles; five individuals have been hospitalized.The CDC addedthat sick people range in age from less than one year to 59 years, with a median age of 7.
Thetimeline of infectionsshows cases connected to the outbreak appearing from January 3 to June 24. No deaths have been reported.
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“This is because many people recover without medical care and are not tested for salmonella,” CDC concluded.
Symptoms of a Salmonella infection include fever, diarrhea, and cramps. The CDC recommends that people who experience severe symptoms such as a fever over 102 degrees Fahrenheit, diarrhea that lasts more than three days without improving, and excessive vomiting should go to the hospital.
As part of the investigation into the current Salmonella outbreak, state and local public health officials are interviewing sick people about the animals they came in contact with in the week before they got ill.
According to the report, of the nine people interviewed, eight reported touching turtles and of the seven people interviewed about the size of their turtle, six reported contact with a pet turtle with a shell less than 4 inches long.
In addition, of the seven people interviewed about where they purchased their turtles, six reported purchasing their small turtles from online retailers.
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To avoid getting sick, the CDC recommends washing your hands after handling and feeding pet turtles and refraining from kissing or snuggling the animals. The CDC also advises people not to eat around their pet turtles.
source: people.com
