Avian Flu Diary: CDC Investigating Another Multi-State Salmonella Outbreak (Linked to Pet Turtles)

#16,895

In 2019 BC (Before COVID), we looked at the CDC's list of Zoonotic Diseases Of Most Concern In The United States. Among the top 10 were avian flu (#1), West Nile Virus (#3), Plague (#4), and MERS-CoV (#5).

Coming in second only to avian influenza, was Salmonellosis, a bacterial infection that causes well over 1 million illnesses, and more than 400 deaths, each year in the United states.

From the CDC Salmonella website:

CDC estimates Salmonella bacteria cause about 1.35 million infections, 26,500 hospitalizations, and 420 deaths in the United States every year. Food is the source for most of these illnesses.Most people who get ill from Salmonella have diarrhea, fever, and stomach cramps.

Symptoms usually begin 6 hours to 6 days after infection and last 4 to 7 days.
Most people recover without specific treatment and should not take antibiotics. Antibiotics are typically used only to treat people who have severe illness or who are at risk for it.
Some people’s illness may be so severe that they need to be hospitalized.

While food poisoning is the most common way to contract Salmonella, it can also be transmitted via contact with animals. Exposure to backyard poultry, and to baby chicks (often bought as pets for Easter), produce outbreaks almost every year, usually in the spring.

But we've also seen recent outbreaks linked to pet turtles (2020), pet bearded lizards (2022), guinea pigs (2019), and pet hedgehogs (2019).

On Thursday the CDC issued a new, multi-state outbreak alert after 15 illnesses were linked to turtles sold online, across 11 states.

Along with this media advisory:

CDC Investigation Notice: Small turtles purchased online linked to Salmonella outbreak affecting children
Media Statement

For Immediate Release: Thursday, July 21, 2022
Contact: Media Relations(404) 639-3286

A CDC investigation notice regarding a multistate outbreak of Salmonella infections has been posted: https://www.cdc.gov/salmonella/stanley-07-22/index.html

Key Points:

Fifteen people infected with the outbreak strain of Salmonella have been reported from 11 states. Five people have been hospitalized. No deaths have been reported. Many people in this outbreak are children.
The true number of sick people is likely higher than the number reported, and the outbreak may not be limited to the states with known illnesses. This is because some people recover without medical care and are not tested for Salmonella.
Interviews with ill people, laboratory data, and purchase information show that small turtles (shells less than 4 inches long) are making people sick. Most people reported buying small turtles online. Half of the people who purchased their turtles online bought them from a website called myturtlestore.com, despite the federal law banning the sale of small turtles as pets.

What You Should Do:

Only buy turtles with shells longer than 4 inches and buy them from reputable pet stores or rescues.
Stay healthy around your pet turtle by always washing your hands after touching, feeding, or caring for your turtle. Adults should make sure young children are washing their hands properly.
Don’t toss your turtle if you decide you no longer want it. Reach out to your local pet store or reptile rescue.
Pick the right pet for your family. Pet turtles are not recommended for children younger than 5, adults aged 65 and older, and people with weakened immune systems as they are more likely to get a serious illness from germs that turtles can carry.
About Salmonella:

Most people infected with Salmonella develop diarrhea, fever, and stomach cramps 6 hours to 6 days after being exposed to the bacteria.
The illness usually lasts 4 to 7 days, and most people recover without treatment.
In some people, the illness may be so severe that the patient is hospitalized.
Children younger than 5, adults 65 and older, and people with weakened immune systems are more likely to have severe illness.
If you have questions about cases in a particular state, please contact that state’s health department.

While we often focus on the big-ticket epidemic diseases threats Influenza, Avian Flu, COVID, MERS-CoV, or Zika - in truth - the annual burden of disease from `lesser' zoonotic threats - like Salmonella, Listeria, and E. coli - is considerable.