ANIMAL HEALTH ALERT
REPTILES AND SALMONELLA
 

The Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently published an article describing a multi-state outbreak of Salmonella infection in people associated with exposure to turtles. Over 100 people, mostly children, were infected by the same strain of Salmonella, and 24 were hospitalized. Eleven cases were identified in Southern California, with 6 occurring in Los Angeles County. (Two additional local cases were reported after the study period for a total of 8 Los Angeles County cases to date). The first reported illness onset was on May 4, 2007, and cases continued to be identified through January 2008. Symptoms included bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramps, fever and vomiting. The CDC, State, and local health departments (including the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health) interviewed potential cases to determine the cause of the outbreak. Fifty-nine percent of the cases reported turtle exposure during the 7 days before illness onset. Further study confirmed that turtle exposure was strongly associated with this infection. Many human exposures to Salmonella were indirect. One baby became ill after being bathed in a sink where turtle feces had been discarded. Two girls fell ill after swimming in an un-chlorinated pool where turtles had been swimming.

Turtles and other reptiles have long been recognized as a source of human Salmonella infections. In Los Angeles County, approximately 10% of individuals with reported Salmonella infection indicate that they had contact with reptiles, and in 2007 preliminary data show 83% of these reptiles were turtles. These animals are especially appealing to families with small children because the turtles are inexpensive, cute and perceived as harmless and easy to maintain.

Small turtles became illegal to sell in 1975 after a large number of children became ill after handling them. However, the Senate passed a bill H.R. 2419 on December 14, 2007 which may change laws regarding the sale of small turtles and other reptiles across state lines. Turtle farmers have reported that they have developed ways to ensure that baby turtles are free of Salmonella at the time of infection. However, there is no guarantee that the turtles will remain Salmonella free. In fact, there is no study showing that these methods actually clear the animals of Salmonella, as turtles may shed intermittently. With the recent change in federal law, it is likely that small Red-eared Slider turtles (Chrysemys scripta elegans) will be sold in increased numbers locally.

Please help us educate the public about the potential risk of Salmonella infection from handling reptiles or turtles by distributing the information to your clients. Further information and client handouts are available on our Reptiles and Salmonella page.