From the AVMA Animal Health SmartBrief
Seven in NJ Sickened in Salmonella Outbreak Linked to Turtles
In New Jersey, some of the cases have been linked to transient street vendors selling small turtles in predominantly Spanish-speaking neighborhoods
Wednesday, Jul 11, 2012 | Updated 12:39 PM EDT
Seven New Jersey residents have been sickened in an outbreak of Salmonella linked to small turtles, officials said Wednesday.
The Centers for Disease Control is
reporting six outbreaks of the infection, with 149 affected people in 28
states since August 2011, all linked to small turtles or the water they
live in. Seventy-two percent of those sickened said they had some
exposure to turtles.
In New Jersey, some of the cases have
been linked to transient street vendors selling small turtles in
predominantly Spanish-speaking neighborhoods.
Small turtles are a well-known source
of Salmonella infections, particularly among children. Sale and
distribution of these turtles as pets has been banned by the Food
and Drug Administration since 1975.
People are urged to wash hands after handling turtles and all reptiles and amphibians.
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