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Potentially Fatal Salmonella Infections from Pet Turtles

Turtles may look like cute pets, but it is estimated that they are responsible for over 70,000 cases of Salmonella infections every year in this country.

Some of these infections can be serious or even fatal. In one case, a four week-old infant died of a Salmonella infection that was traced to a pet turtle in the home. In another case, two teenage girls became very ill after they swam in an unchlorinated family pool where pet turtles had been allowed to swim.

Children, people with compromised immune systems, the elderly and pregnant women are especially susceptible to Salmonella infections. In addition to their susceptibility from an immune standpoint, young children are at high risk because they are likely to handle the turtles, and then without washing their hands, handle food or touch their mouths, which increases the possibility of ingesting the bacteria.

It does not require touching the turtle to be exposed to the Salmonella, because the turtle sporadically sheds the bacteria into its water and housing. So people cleaning the turtle’s bowl can become infected, too. Salmonella is also carried by other reptiles and amphibians.

FDA’s primary recommendation is to not buy small turtles as pets or gifts. For those who already own a turtle, reptile, or amphibian, here are some basic rules to help prevent illness:

• If your family is expecting a child, remove the animal from the home before the baby arrives.

• Keep turtles out of homes with children under five, the elderly, or those with weakened immune systems.

• Always wash hands thoroughly with soap and water after touching the turtle or any object it has come in contact with.

• Do not clean turtle tanks or other supplies in the kitchen sink, and use bleach to disinfect the area where the turtle tank is cleaned.

• Be aware that children can contract Salmonella infections from turtles in petting zoos, parks, classrooms and daycare facilities.

• If you do have a turtle, watch for symptoms of Salmonella infection, such as diarrhea, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, fever and headache, and call a doctor if these occur.
 

Additional Information:

FDA Consumer Health Information. Pet Turtles: Cute But Contaminated with Salmonella. January 25, 2007.
http://www.fda.gov/consumer/updates/turtles012508.html

FDA Consumer Update. FDA Acts to Reduce Risk of Salmonella Infections November 28, 2008.
http://www.fda.gov/consumer/updates/turtles112808.html

FDA Press Release. FDA Re-Emphasizes Warnings to Consumers on Risks of Pet Turtles. April 6, 2007.
http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/NEWS/2007/NEW01604.html

Alert to Parents – Pet Turtles May be Harmful to Your Children’s Health. July 2005.
http://www.fda.gov/cvm/Documents/TurtlesFlier.pdf

Human Health Hazards Associated with Turtles, Information for Regulators and Public Health Educators.
http://www.fda.gov/cvm/turtlereg.htm

FDA Center for Veterinary Medicine. Pet Turtles: A Common Source of Salmonella (brochure). October 2008.
http://www.fda.gov/cvm/Documents/TurtleBrochureART.pdf

FDA Center for Veterinary Medicine. Pet Turtles: A Common Source of Salmonella (poster). October 2008.
http://www.fda.gov/cvm/Documents/2ndDraftTurtlePoster.pdf

FDA Center for Veterinary Medicine. Pet Turtles: A Common Source of Salmonella (book cover art). October 2008.
http://www.fda.gov/cvm/Documents/bookcoverART.pdf

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