Salmonella associated with pet turtles

 US CDC is collaborating with the Pennsylvania State Health Department in an ongoing investigation of the outbreak of 132 human Salmonella infections between August 2010 and September 2011 associated with exposure to small turtles (those with shell lengths less than 4 inches). Many of these infections occurred in young children, whose illness can be severe and cause hospitalization.

Despite a three-decade ban on the sale of small turtles, these infections continue to occur. Turtles are not appropriate pets in households with young children or other high risk individuals (pregnant women, older persons and the immune-compromised).

For more information: http://www.cdc.gov/Features/SalmonellaFrogTurtle/