Veterinary Public Health


Pet Health Calendar
Contact Information
Veterinary Public Health Program
313 N Figueroa St. Rm 1127
Los Angeles, CA 90012
Tel (213) 288-7060
Fax (213) 481-2375
vet@ph.lacounty.gov
Adobe Reader
Get Adobe Reader icon
Note: PDF documents on this site were created using Adobe Acrobat 5.0 or later. If you are using an earlier version of Adobe Acrobat Reader (4.x or less), document functionality may be reduced.
 
Reptile-associated Salmonellosis
8.8.12 CDC - Multistate Outbreaks of Human Salmonella Infections Linked to Small Turtles

Salmonellosis is caused by the bacteria Salmonella. Over 90% of reptiles have Salmonella, which they shed in feces and spread to their skin and environment. Salmonella bacteria and the salmonellosis disease that it causes can be deadly.

Across the United States, Salmonella causes an estimated 1.4 million cases of illness and 400 deaths each year. In Los Angeles County, 10% of all reported cases of salmonellosis involved persons who had direct or indirect contact with reptiles. Red-eared slider turtles were the most common reptile in over 50% of these cases.

Contact with these baby turtles and all other reptiles can be a very serious health risk to infants, small children, and adults with weakened immune systems.

If you are considering buying a baby turtle, or any other reptile, remember: no matter how clean you keep your pet, its housing, etc., it still sheds Salmonella. If you already own a turtle or any other reptile, wash its housing and dishes, etc., outside, or sanitize your wash area. Most important, always your wash hands thoroughly with soap and warm water after touching your pet and their housing.

For Pet Owners

 

Keep the whole family healthy.

 Click here to
learn more.

cat and Great Dane dog
  rabbit  
 
 
Public Health has made reasonable efforts to provide accurate translation. However, no computerized translation is perfect and is not intended to replace traditional translation methods. If questions arise concerning the accuracy of the information, please refer to the English edition of the website, which is the official version.
Los Angeles County Seal: Enriching lives through effective and caring services