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Pet turtles continue to infect people with salmonella
Infection Control Monitor, February 1, 2008
Despite the fact the sale of tiny turtles -- those measuring less than four inches -- has been prohibited in the United States since 1975, contact with such reptiles was to blame for 103 salmonella infections in 33 states between May and December 2007, according to the CDC.
Small turtles remain available to the public from various sources, including pet shops, flea markets, street vendors, and Web sites, the CDC said in the January 25 issue of Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.
The findings of CDC, state, and local health departments document an ongoing, multistate outbreak of Salmonella Paratyphi B va. Java infections that cause gastroenteritis. Many of the infections occurred in young children and were associated with exposure to small turtles. In August, 2007 two teenage girls were infected after they swam in an unchlorinated, in-ground swimming pool in which two pet turtles were also permitted to swim. More measures to educate the public are needed, the CDC said, since only 20% of patients were aware of a link between salmonella and contact with reptiles.
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