The salmonella outbreak, traced to pet turtles, has spread to half the country

The CDC reports that an outbreak of Salmonella infections from small turtles has affected 21 states and appears to be increasing.

The outbreak has already sickened 51 people, 23 of whom were so ill that they had to be admitted to hospitals. So far, the sick people have developed infections from two types of Salmonella, Salmonella Stanley and Salmonella Poona, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The age range for patients in this outbreak ranges from less than 1 year old to 78 years old, with a mean age of 8 years. Thirty-five percent of patients are younger than 5 years old and 20 percent are younger than 1 year old. Children are much more likely than adults to develop serious illnesses when exposed to Salmonella.

“The actual number of sick people in an outbreak is likely much higher than the reported number, and the outbreak may not be limited to states with known illnesses,” the CDC said. “This is because many people recover without medical care and are not tested for Salmonella. In addition, recent illnesses may not yet be reported because it typically takes three to four weeks to determine whether a sick person is part of an outbreak.”

For every diagnosed outbreak patient, there are 29 who are not being counted, according to the CDC.

The turtles involved are small, with shells less than four inches long. Such turtles are known to be infected with Salmonella. Federal law prohibits the sale and distribution of these turtles as pets.

State and local public health officials are interviewing people about the animals they came into contact with in the week before they became ill. Of the 23 people who reported house turtle size, 21 reported contact with house turtles with a shell less than 4 inches (10 cm) long.

Pet owners are urged not to sniff or kiss turtles. If you touch turtles and then prepare or eat food, you may become ill. Turtles can cross-contaminate anything they come into contact with, so countertops and other areas should be disinfected if turtles are allowed on them.

Whole genome sequencing has shown that bacteria from samples taken from sick people are genetically closely related. This means that people in these outbreaks likely became ill from the same type of animal.

In June 2024, samples were collected from a sick person’s turtle in California for testing. The turtle was purchased from a street vendor. Whole genome sequencing conducted by the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health Laboratory showed that Salmonella serotype Poona from the turtle was closely related to the bacteria from sick people.

In July 2024, samples were collected from a turtle and its environment at the home of a sick person in Illinois for testing. The turtle was purchased from a souvenir shop. Whole genome sequencing conducted by the Illinois Department of Public Health Laboratory showed that the Salmonella Poona on the turtle and its environment were the same as the bacteria from the sick individual.

Eighteen people in both outbreaks reported purchasing or receiving these small turtles at various locations:

• Street vendors, 5
• Online stores, 4
• Souvenir shops, 4
• Received as a gift, 2
• Exchange meetings, 1
• Pet stores, 1
• Social media, 1

A common turtle supplier for these locations has not been identified.

About Salmonella infections
Food and animals contaminated with Salmonella bacteria generally do not look or smell bad. Anyone can become ill from a Salmonella infection. According to the CDC, infants, children, seniors and people with weakened immune systems are at greater risk for serious illness because their immune systems are fragile.

Anyone who has come into contact with turtles and developed symptoms of Salmonella infection should seek medical attention. Sick people should tell their doctor about possible exposure to Salmonella bacteria, because special tests are needed to diagnose salmonellosis. Symptoms of Salmonella infection can mimic other diseases, often leading to misdiagnosis.

Symptoms of a Salmonella infection may include diarrhea, abdominal cramps and fever within 12 to 72 hours after exposure. Otherwise, healthy adults are usually sick for four to seven days. However, in some cases, the diarrhea can be so severe that patients require hospitalization.

Older adults, children, pregnant women, and people with weakened immune systems, such as cancer patients, are more likely to develop serious illness and serious, sometimes life-threatening conditions.

Some people become infected without becoming ill or showing symptoms. However, they can still spread the infections to others.

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