There's a pressing health concern that's affecting our most vulnerable: children and those with weakened immune systems. An outbreak of Salmonella, linked to contact with small turtles, has been reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The agency received 51 reports from 21 states about the illness, which is affiliated with turtles that have shells less than 4 inches long, according to a news release from the CDC cited by KXAN.
These tiny turtles seem to utterly defy the federal law that bans their sale and distribution as pets, highlighting an issue where some online retailers, pet stores, and roadside markets are allowing them to slip through the cracks. The CDC points out that despite the ban, these small turtles are still being sold. Pertinently, these reptiles should not be considered pets for children younger than 5, adults aged 65 and older, or people with compromised immune systems, due to the risk of severe illness, as reported by the CDC's investigation notice.
Most affected by this outbreak are the innocents, with 17 cases being children under the age of 5 and 10 cases in infants under 1 year old. The symptoms of Salmonella infection, which include diarrhea, fever, and stomach cramps, typically set in from six hours to six days post-exposure. While the illness is usually resolved within four to seven days without treatment, the potential for hospitalization looms over more severe cases.
To help circumvent the further spread of the disease, the CDC recommends only considering turtles with shells longer than 4 inches and to ensure purchase from reputable pet stores or rescues. Pet owners are advised to always wash their hands after contact with their turtle, and to help young children to do the same properly. In a situation where a pet turtle is no longer wanted, the agency strenuously advises against releasing the animal into the wild and suggests contacting a local pet store or reptile rescue for proper surrender. For more information on Salmonella and the current outbreak, individuals are encouraged to reach out to their state's health department for guidance.
