An outbreak of Salmonella infections linked to small turtles has sickened 26 people across 11 states.
The sale of turtles with shells shorter than 4 inches (10.16 centimeters) has been banned in the U.S. since 1975, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). That's because tiny turtles are the most common culprits in Salmonella outbreaks linked to pet reptiles. The pets pose a particular risk to children, who are likely to handle the turtles and get sick.
