Don't smooch tiny turtles: CDC tips on how to protect your kids from ... - Palm Beach Post

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When you think of salmonella – if you ever do – you probably think about raw meat or eggs as the culprit. But a 16-state outbreak of salmonella launched a CDC investigation that found an unusual cause for the recent spread of the disease: small pet turtles.

Of the 28 cases of salmonella that the CDC is aware of, 10 led to hospitalization. About 30% of these cases are children under the age of five and 80% of people infected reported contact with pet turtles. Of that 80%, 92% said that the turtles they'd been in contact with were small turtles. Like with most contagious diseases, there are likely more cases than these 28, as many people who get the disease often don't test and recover at home.

No cases from Florida have been recorded, but there were some cases that came from Georgia.

Here's what you need to know about pet turtles and salmonella and how to identify and treat the disease.

Do most turtles have salmonella?

Any turtle can carry salmonella germs. But smaller turtles, like the ones that typically end up as pets, with shells less than 4 inches or less have been identified by the CDC as the source of the most recent cases.

"Pet turtles of any size can carry salmonella germs in their droppings even if they look healthy and clean," the CDC's report on salmonella and turtles says. "These germs can easily spread to their bodies, tank water and anything in the area where they live and roam."

"The CDC continues to advise people not to buy small turtles with shells less than 4 inches long, including from online retailers such as myturtlestore.com."

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What are the first signs of salmonella?

According to the Mayo Clinic, the time between exposure to salmonella and illness can be anywhere from six hours to six days and people who contract it often mistake it for the stomach flu.

Symptoms of a salmonella infection can last up to a week and diarrhea can last up to 10 months. It may take a few months for an infected person's bowels to recover and return to normal.

Here are the possible signs and symptoms of salmonella infection, according to Mayo Clinic:

• Diarrhea
• Stomach cramps
• Fever
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Chills
• Headache
• Blood in stool

According to Mayo Clinic, most people don't need to go to the doctor for salmonella infection and can recover at home.

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How long is salmonella contagious?

Although symptoms typically only last for a few days, a person infected with salmonella can carry and transmit the bacteria for weeks or sometimes months afterward.

Who is most at risk for salmonella?

Young children, infants, elderly people and those with a compromised immune system are at the highest risk. If any of these people experience more than a few days of sickness, bloody stool and fever or are dehydrated, Mayo Clinic suggests calling a doctor.

How to stay healthy around your pet turtle

Here are some tips the CDC has issued for those who have small pet turtles:

• Wash your hands often and thoroughly immediately after touching or feeding your turtle and after touching or cleaning the area(s) where it lives or roams.
• When you're playing with your turtle, don't kiss or snuggle it and don't eat or drink around it. 
• Keep your turtle out of the kitchen and other areas where you eat, prepare or keep food.
• Clean your turtle's tanks, toys and feeders outside, not inside of your house, if possible. If you must clean them inside, don't do it in the kitchen or other areas where you cook or eat food. The best place to clean your turtle supplies is in a laundry sink or bathtub.

What is the best treatment for salmonella?

Antibiotics are the best treatment for salmonella, according to the Mayo Clinic. Antibiotics are usually prescribed to those infected who are in one of the previously mentioned groups that have the highest risk of catching the disease.

Lianna Norman covers trending news in Palm Beach County for The Palm Beach Post. You can reach her at lnorman@pbpost.com. You can follow her reporting on social media  @LiannaNorman on X.

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